Support available for families over the Christmas Holiday's
Warm Spaces
Hounslow Council and its partners have opened a network of warm spaces across our borough - some of which will be open over the holiday period.
Here, families will find a warm welcome and a place to stay warm if they are struggling to heat their home. Many provide warm drinks and other refreshments, free wi-fi and activities for parents and children.
Keeping warm is important for maintaining good health. Our warm spaces are free to use and open to everyone.
Find your nearest warm space here: hounslow.gov.uk/warmspaces
Cost of Living Support
If you have a family that are struggling to make ends meet due to rising prices then please be assured that information and support are available.
We have created a Cost-of-Living Hub on Hounslow Council’s website:
hounslow.gov.uk/costofliving
Here you can find information about what financial support is available from the government for families who are struggling.
Access to debt advice and support with managing finances and find help with reducing energy bills. Families can also check if their children are eligible for free school meals.
More information about what is on offer for children is also available from the Hounslow Family Service Directory: http://hounslow.gov.uk/fsd
Holiday Activities and Food Programme
Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) will be running free exciting and fun events this winter!
If a child is entitled to benefits related free school meals (pupil premium) at school, they are also entitled to free activities during the easter, summer and winter holidays.
This winter the family can come along to a pantomime performance, the children can play sports, learn cooking skills, go on an adventure or join one of our exciting events!
For more information about HAF this winter, please visit our website.
The next HAF delivery period will be 2nd-5th January 2024. Vouchers and bookings will be available from 4 December 2023.
If you require any support or have any questions regarding the Holiday Activities and Food programme, please e-mail HAF@Hounslow.gov.uk or call Grace on 07976771767.
Upcoming Parenting Programmes
Open for referrals for January
Families First and Intensive Support (FFIS) team have shared the details of the parenting programs that will start in the new academic year.
123 Magic is a parenting/behaviour management programme for parents and carers of children aged 2-12 who have been diagnosed with ADHD or who display challenging behaviour. It is a 5 week online programme.
The plan for 123 Magic is to be run on:
January 2024 Cohort: 11 Jan 2024 to 8 Feb 2024 – Thursdays 10 am to 12 pm
123 Magic referral form | 123 Magic flyer
Surviving Your Adolescents is a programme for parents of children over the age of 12 aimed at increasing the parents’ and carers’ ability to communicate with their young people and to reduce the risks that the young people face. It is a 5 week onlin programme.
The plan for Surviving Your Adolescents is to be run on:
January 2024 Cohort: 9 Jan 2024 to 6 Feb 2024 – Tuesdays 6pm to 8 pm
Surviving your Adolescents referral form | Surviving your Adolescents flyer
Should you wish to refer any of the families with whom you work, please share the flyer which contains the dates, times and the agenda for the programme and get informed consent from the parent / carer.
Send all referrals and any queries to FFISgroupprograms@hounslow.gov.uk
Please share with your professional network
Community Solutions
Community Solutions has launched it's new Community Family Hubs in Feltham offering advice and support to residents within the community. This new development is a key part of the Council improving the way it interacts with residents. Whether you’re trying to find information, or seeking help and advice, we are making sure you can find the right solution, closer to home.
They are focused on early intervention to prevent crisis, and work by linking residents up with a wide range of services in the community, including advice services, skills classes, health and well-being services and social events.
This includes a major new community resource, open weekly (Tuesdays 2-5pm), at Feltham Assembly Hall and an existing Family Hub. In addition, a further five community venues are within walking distance.
Feltham’s Community and Family Hubs
Feltham Assembly Hall, Feltham Park, Hounslow Rd, Feltham TW14 9DN
Every Tuesday, 2-5pm
Whether you want to develop your IT skills, apply for a job, or access a wide range of services and support face-to-face, the Community Solutions team and partners are available here on a weekly basis.
Alf King - Family Hub West - Feltham TW13 5AF
Monday to Friday 9-5pm
Hounslow is one of 75 local authorities which has received grants from the UK government to launch Family Hubs and Start for Life programmes.
Established in June, three Family hubs have emerged from existing Children Centres, in Feltham, Central Hounslow and Brentford.
Feltham Library Hub, The Centre, High St, Feltham, TW13 4GU
Every Thursday, launching end of November 2023
The location of our Feltham hub on Thursdays, featuring Citizens Advice Hounslow, and other services to help with a range of issues.
Belvedere House, Lemon Grove, Feltham, TW13 4DH
The base for the Feltham Community Development Association (FCDA), a vibrant community centre that offers diverse activities and support, including creative sessions, cookery courses, youth groups and a young mums’ ante-natal group.
Bedfont Lane Community Centre, 9 Proctors Close, Feltham TW14 9NB
Family-friendly activities throughout the year with special sessions taking place in the holidays to keep little ones amused. Visit the Southern Avenue Residents Association Facebook page.
Bristol Court, United Dr, Feltham TW14 9AG
Featuring a regular Dementia Café organised by Alzheimer’s Society, which offers advice, companionship, entertainment, and information. Forthcoming dates are 10 October and 21 November. Contact Emily.sacher@alzheimers.org.uk (07928 511 603) to attend and learn of further dates.
Southville Community Centre, Southville Rd, Feltham, TW14 8AP
(Activities Mon-Thurs)
The home of Age UK Hounslow, providing a long-established range of services and activities for older people and local community groups. These include free and low-cost sessions involving arts and crafts and exercise classes. There is also a Dementia Café at the venue.
Please share with your professional network
Short Breaks Winter Newsletter
Please find attached the Short Breaks newsletter for the Winter and Christmas holiday. Please do pass it onto any families that may be interested.
Short Breaks is a service for young people with disabilities and/or SEN up to the age of 18. Families can self-refer or via a professional. All you need to do is call the team on 0208 583 3636 or email shortbreaks@hounslow.gov.uk. If you have any queries, please do get in touch.
Please share with your families.
Free programmes through Hounslow Family Hubs
Hounslow is one of the 75 local authorities who have been selected to be part of the government’s national Family Hubs & Start for Life programme. The recently launched Family Hubs hope to support families with children of all ages, from 0-19 or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They will bring services together to improve access, improve the connections between families, professionals, services, and providers, and put relationships at the heart of family support.
Please see some of the new programmes being offered by the Family Hubs below:
Solihull Approach free online courses - Nurturing emotional health and wellbeing from bump to 19+ years
Hounslow’s Family Hubs has partnered with the Solihull Approach to offer free access to expertly designed online courses for parents, carers, grandparents and teens living in the borough.
Key highlights of the Solihull Approach online courses include:
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Understanding your child's emotional health and brain development: Parents will gain insights into the science behind their child's brain development, helping them make informed decisions that support healthy cognitive growth.
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Reading your child's behaviours: These courses will provide parents with tools to interpret and respond effectively to their child's behaviours, fostering positive interactions and reducing stress for both parents and children.
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Developing communication: Parents will learn strategies for open and effective communication that will strengthen the parent-child bond and promote emotional well-being.
Courses include:
- Understanding pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby
- Understanding your baby (0-12 months)
- Understanding your child: from toddler to teenager (6 months - 19+ years)
- Understanding your child with additional needs (6 months - 19+ years)
- Understanding your child's mental health and wellbeing
- Understanding your teenager's brain
- Understanding your feelings (for teenagers)
- Community languages
To access the courses, Hounslow residents can visit www.inourplace.co.uk and follow the simple registration process, inputting the access code LBHPARENTS. Online courses are designed to be accessed anytime, anywhere and are completely private and personal to each learner.
For more information, click here.
School Admission Applications for September 2024 are now open.
School admissions team have informed that the applications are now open for September 2024 admissions and the closing dates are
Secondary Transfer September 2024 – 31 October 2024.
See www.hounslow.gov.uk/secondaryadmissions for more information
Starting Reception September 2024 – 15 January 2024.
See www.hounslow.gov.uk/primaryadmissions for more information
We ask for your support in assisting families to make their applications by the relevant closing dates. Late applications severely reduce the chances of families getting their preferred schools.
Contact School Admissions if you have any queries
T: 020 8583 2711/2721
E: admissions@hounslow.gov.uk
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