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Keeping safe and well

Help and support for young people

You do not have to deal with things on your own. This page has information about help you can get with your health, wellbeing, and everyday life.

Health, dental and eye care

The care experienced nurse sits within the Children in Care Health Team (CIC) and provides support for young people who have been in care.

They can:

  • help with health worries
  • give advice
  • tell you where to get more help

They support young people aged:

  • 18 to 21 years old
  • up to 25 years old if you have special educational needs

You can refer yourself to the nurse or your Personal Advisor (PA) can help.

Call: 01306 361127
Email: dhc.dorsetcichealth@nhs.net

You can use the NHS website to find services like doctors or clinics near where you live. Your personal adviser can offer support with this too.

Visit NHS.UK

Looking after your teeth is important. However, even with an NHS dentist, dental care can still be expensive.

You may get free or discounted treatment if you:

  • are pregnant
  • had a baby in the last 12 months
  • are aged 16 to 18 years old and in full-time education

NHS dental costs change every year.

Visit the NHS website to find an NHS dentist near you.

Visit NHS.UK

If you are aged 16 to 18 years ols and still in full time education, you are eligible for:

  • free eye tests
  • vouchers towards glasses or contact lenses

Help with costs

If you are on a low income or receive benefits, you can apply for a Health Credit Certificate (HC2 or HC3) to support free:

  • dental care
  • eye care
  • prescriptions

You can ask your personal advisor to help you apply.

Mental health and wellbeing support

Samaritans

If you feel upset, worried, or overwhelmed, Samaritans are there to listen. They offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like about what is getting to you. Call 116 123 or visit their website.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice helps young people (and adults) understand their rights and deal with everyday problems by giving free, confidential, and impartial advice. They can help you figure out what to do next when life gets confusing or stressful.

Become - care advice service

Become is a free, friendly and confidential support service for children in care and care leavers. You can call them Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm. Visit their website for more information about the service they provide.

Advice and support

Visit Brook for information and help with sexual health, relationships, body changes and more.

Contraception and STI screening

SH:24 is a free online sexual health service, delivered in partnership with the NHS.

If you live in Dorset and are over 16 years old you can access free:

  • STI testing kits
  • contraceptive pills

To place an order or to find out more visit SH:24.

Stonewall

Stonewall are a UK human rights charity fighting for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer+ equality. They campaign, support and advocate for the community in the UK and beyond.

Visit Stonewall to find out more.

Space Youth Project

Space Youth Project aim to support young people who are or may be LGBT+.

They empower them to:

  • have positive self-esteem
  • know they are supported
  • have a sense of community
  • overcome issues caused or intensified by prejudice in order to facilitate freedom of expression

Visit Space Youth Project to find out more.

Being a new parent can be both a happy and scary experience at the same time.

As with all new parents, you will have access to a full range of services from the NHS.

This includes your GP, a midwifery service and health visiting service who will support you while you are pregnant and after your baby is born. 

For information and help with domestic abuse visit the BCP Council website.