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Getting help from your local doctor, hospital, dentist and optician, for young people with SEND.
Information guide
The Council for Disabled Children has an pdf information guide that explains some of the words or terms you may come across about your health (834 KB) .
Doctors
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you're not feeling well or happy. Find your local doctor Go to https://www.bnssgccg.nhs.uk/health-services/gp-surgeries/ (opens new window).
If you're aged 14 and over with a learning disability, you can get a free annual health check.
If you're aged 16 and over, you can use the doctors online services. There's an easy read on the NHS website that explains what online services is and how to access it Go to https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/young-peoples-access-to-gp-online-services.pdf (opens new window).
If you're aged 18 and over with a learning disability, you can ask the Community Learning Disabilities Team to help you get an appointment with the doctors and the hospital Go to https://www.sirona-cic.org.uk/nhsservices/services/community-learning-disabilities-team/ (opens new window).
If you have an urgent medical problem and are not sure what to do, call the free NHS number 111. The video on their website explains when and how to use the free NHS number Go to https://111.nhs.uk/ (opens new window). There is also information on the Bristol NHS website Go to https://www.bnssgccg.nhs.uk/health-services/nhs-111/ (opens new window).
If you're in school you can get help with your physical and emotional health from School Health Nurses. They'll help your school to give support with medical conditions. They can also give advice to you and your family about health and healthy lifestyles.
Hospital
If you have been referred to hospital by your doctor, make sure they know about your disability. This will help them make the right adjustments for you. You can ask your doctor to tell them for you, or you can call them directly.
If you have a learning disability you can get a Hospital Passport, which helps hospital staff understand your individual needs. Find out about hospital passports Go to https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/health/health-guides (opens new window) on the Mencap website.
Contact The Bristol Learning disabilities nursing team Go to http://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/support-for-patients/patients-with-a-learning-disability-or-autistic-spectrum-disorder-(asc)/ (opens new window) who will support you whilst you're in hospital. Contact them before you go into hospital, so they can be there to meet you when you arrive.
Dentist
It's important to get regular check-ups at your dentist, to make sure your mouth, teeth and gums are healthy.
Find out more and search for your local dentist on the Bristol NHS website Go to https://www.bnssgccg.nhs.uk/health-services/dentists/ (opens new window).
NHS England has an easy read guide about going to the dentist Go to https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/easy-read-katrinas-dentist-story.pdf (opens new window).
You may be able to get extra help at the dentist. The Community Dental Service Go to http://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/university-of-bristol-dental-hospital/what-we-do/primary-care-dental-service-(pcds)/what-we-do/ (opens new window) provides dental care for people who cannot go to a local dentist because of additional needs or disabilities.
Optician
Regular eye tests at your optician will make sure that you have healthy eyes and get any treatment you might need.
Find out more and search for your local optician Go to https://www.bnssgccg.nhs.uk/health-services/opticians/ (opens new window) at the Bristol NHS website.
You may be able to get free eye tests. Check if you are eligible for free eye tests Go to https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/ (opens new window) on the NHS website.
If you have a learning disability, See Ability have a search engine to find opticians who work with people with learning disabilities Go to https://www.seeability.org/find-an-optometrist (opens new window).
What a personal health budget is and who can get one, for young people with special educational needs and or disabilities (SEND).
Personal health budget
A personal health budget is an amount of money to support your health and wellbeing needs.
With a personal health budget you can manage your own healthcare and support such as treatments, equipment and personal care.
It is different to a personal budget, which is for your social care and support needs . You can have both a personal budget and a personal health budget.
Personal health budgets for young people with SEND
Personal wheelchair budget
A personal wheelchair budget supports people's choice of wheelchair and enables independent living. Find out more on the NHS England website, where there are two real life video stories about suporting people's choice of wheelchair Go to https://www.england.nhs.uk/personal-health-budgets/personal-wheelchair-budgets/ (opens new window).
Talk to your GP or contact the Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group about how to get a personal wheelchair budget Go to (opens new window).
Personal health budget for young people aged 0 to 25 with a learning disability
Personal health budgets help young people with a learning disability to live independently.
Find out about personal health budgets Go to https://bnssgccg.nhs.uk/health-advice-and-support/personal-health-budgets/ (opens new window) on the Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group website.
Talk to your GP or contact the Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group about how to get a personal health budget Go to https://bnssgccg.nhs.uk/health-advice-and-support/personal-health-budgets/who-can-have-personal-health-budget/ (opens new window).
What mental health is and where to go for help for young people with SEND.
If you need urgent help, call Childline for free on 0800 1111 open every day, 24 hours a day, or contact them on Childline website Go to https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/contacting-childline/ (opens new window).
Mental health and wellbeing
Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. Your mental health is very important.
Good mental health means you can:
- cope with normal levels of stress
- be more independent
- learn to cope with difficult situations and events
When you don't feel well, you might feel:
- sad
- depressed
- worried
- anxious
- stressed
- upset
- angry
- confused
This doesn't necessarily mean you have a mental illness. Lots of things can make us feel this way, such as being in pain or changes in our life. Sometimes we feel down for no reason at all.
Information about mental health and wellbeing:
- an easy read guide to anxiety Go to https://www.wellaware.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Anxiety-easy-read-guide.pdf (opens new window)
- The charity Mind explain about understanding feelings Go to https://www.mind.org.uk/for-young-people/introduction-to-mental-health/understanding-my-feelings/ (opens new window)
- Bristol's Community Access Support Service have leaflets explaining pdf anxiety (253 KB) , pdf depression (241 KB) and pdf stress (244 KB)
Asking for help
It's always okay to ask for help. Asking for help can feel hard at first, but reaching out for support can help you to:
- find support to help with how you're feeling
- feel like you're not alone
- share how you feel with someone you trust
- understand your feelings better
- stop things from getting worse
Where you can go for help with your mental health
You can get support from:
- someone your trust, such as a friend, family member, teacher or school nurse
- your doctor
- Childline: helping a friend Go to https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/friends-relationships-sex/friends/ (opens new window)
- Creative Youth Network: One to One support Go to https://www.creativeyouthnetwork.org.uk/advice (opens new window)
- Kooth: free online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform Go to https://www.kooth.com/ (opens new window)
- Mind: Guide for young people on talking to friends and family about how you are feeling Go to https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/talking-to-friends-and-family/ (opens new window)
- Mind: Information about where you can get professional support Go to https://www.mind.org.uk/for-young-people/how-to-get-help-and-support/finding-support/ (opens new window)
- Off The Record: Mental health charity for young people aged 11 to 25 in Bristol Go to https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/ (opens new window). Their website has lots of information on getting support
- Well Aware: List of mental health services in Bristol Go to https://www.wellaware.org.uk/info-resources/mental-health/bristol-mental-health-2/ (opens new window)
- Student Minds: Look after your mate Go to https://www.studentminds.org.uk/lookafteryourmate.html (opens new window)
- SEND And You (SAY): Support line and face-to-face sessions
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service for Learning Disability: Bristol / South Gloucestershire LD :: Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Why it's important to eat well, how to eat a balanced diet and accessible cooking lessons for young people with SEND.
Eating a balanced diet
Eating a healthy and balanced diet will help you feel well, happy and enjoy life. It should include:
- at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day
- protein like fish, eggs, meat or legumes
- starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta
- butter, oils and spreads in small amounts
- plenty to drink; at least 6 to 8 glasses a day of water
The NHS has an Eatwell Guide Go to https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/the-eatwell-guide/ (opens new window), which shows the amounts of different foods we should be eating each day.
Learn how to cook
Information about cooking lessons for young people aged 18 and over with a learning disability:
- Square Food Foundation has free cooking groups where you can learn how to cook Go to http://www.squarefoodfoundation.co.uk/cooking-connections (opens new window)
- Bristol Community Links centres give daily support to help you live independently such as cooking for yourself
- PROPS offer opportunities to learn new skills such as cooking Go to https://www.propsbristol.org/ (opens new window)
The benefits of being active and where to go to find accessible sports and activities.
The benefits of being active
Being active by playing sports or taking part in a physical activity is good for you because it:
- can make you feel good
- may lower the chance of you getting health problems
- helps you live longer
- improves your sleep
- can be a great way to meet new people
Sports and activities in Bristol
Information about sports and activities for disabled young people:
- list of accessible sports and activities in Bristol
- Parasport have a search engine on their website to find local inclusive activities near you Go to https://parasport.org.uk/ (opens new window)
- Bristol Family Cycling Centre have sessions to learn to ride a bicycle Go to https://betterbybike.info/cycling-centres/bristol-family-cycling-centre/ (opens new window), and offer a range of accessible cycles for those who need them
- WECIL run youth groups that include sports, games and day trips Go to https://wecil.org.uk/children-young-people/out-about-bristol/ (opens new window)
- Ignite Bristol have a directory of inclusive sports opportunities Go to https://www.ignitebristol.co.uk/get-active/ (opens new window)
Information about sports and activities for young people with a learning disability:
- Well Aware have an easy read guide called ‘Let's Get Active' Go to https://www.wellaware.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Lets-Get-Active-easy-read-guide.pdf (opens new window)
- Misfits Theatre Company run regular night clubs and creative workshops Go to https://misfitstheatre.com/ (opens new window)
- Brandon Trust have workshops for young people aged 13 to 18 Go to https://www.brandontrust.org/find-support/children-s-playlink/teenage-workshops/ (opens new window), where they have a range of activities
- WECIL run regular sessions for people with a learning difficulty about being active Go to https://wecil.org.uk/children-young-people/out-about-bristol/ (opens new window)
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