Navigating Everyday Worries
Everyday life can bring challenges - be it financial pressures, behavioral concerns, or emotional well-being.
This section offers guidance and resources to help you navigate these issues, providing advice and support to manage daily stresses and improve your family's overall well-being.
When should you worry?
12-18 months
12-18 MONTHS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 12-18 months and they…
- Have lost skills which they could do before
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm to their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- You find it difficult to move your baby’s arms or legs, making it tricky to change their nappy or clothes
- Feel very floppy when they are awake
- Move their arms or legs in repetitive, jerky, or strange ways
- Use one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Lean to the side when they sit
- Drag their leg or foot when crawling or walking
- Use one arm to pull to stand more than the other
- Rarely use one of their arms to pick up toys, or eat and drink
- Finds it hard to stand or walk, for example:
- Can’t pull to stand
- Fall over a lot when standing still
- Doesn’t cruise (walk while holding on to furniture)
- Walk on their tiptoes a lot
18-24 months
18-24 MONTHS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 18-24 months and they…
- Have lost skills which they could do before
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm to their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- You find it difficult to move your baby’s arms or legs, making it tricky to change their nappy or clothes
- Feel very floppy when they are awake
- Move their arms or legs in repetitive, jerky, or strange ways
- Use one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Lean to the side when they sit
- Drag their leg or foot when crawling or walking
- Use one arm to pull to stand more than the other
- Rarely use one of their arms to pick up toys, or eat and drink
- Find it hard to balance when standing still, or fall over a lot
- Can’t walk by themselves
- Walk on their tiptoes a lot
- Are suddenly unsteady when walking
2 years
2 YEARS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 2 years and they…
- Have lost skills which they could do before
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm to their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- You find it difficult to move your child’s arms or legs, making it tricky to change their nappy or clothes
- Feel very floppy when awake
- Move their arms or legs in repetitive, jerky, or strange ways
- Use one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Lean to the side when they sit
- Drag one leg or foot behind them when crawling or walking
- Rarely use one of their arms to play, eat and drink
- Find it hard to balance when standing still or fall over a lot
- Can’t walk by themselves
- Mostly walk on their tiptoes
- Are suddenly unsteady when walking
- Haven’t started to run
- Move from laying down or sitting to standing by using their hands to push off the ground, and “walk” their hands up their legs until they are standing
3 years
3 YEARS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 3 years and they…
- Have lost skills which they could do before
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm to their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- You find it difficult to move your child’s arms or legs, making it tricky to change their clothes
- Feel very floppy when awake
- Move their arms or legs in repetitive, jerky, or strange ways
- Use one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Lean to the side when they sit
- Drag one leg or foot behind them when walking
- Rarely uses one of their arms to play, eat and drink
- Find it hard to balance when standing still or fall over a lot
- Can’t walk by themselves
- Mostly walk on their tiptoes
- Are suddenly unsteady when walking
- Have not started to jump or run
- Move from laying down or sitting to standing by using their hands to push off the ground, and “walk” their hands up their legs until they are standing
4 years
4 YEARS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 4 years and they…
- Have lost skills which they could do before
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm to their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- Find it tricky to change their clothes
- Feel very floppy when awake
- Move their arms or legs in repetitive, jerky, or strange ways
- Use one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Lean to the side when they sit
- Drag one leg or foot behind them when walking
- Rarely use one of their arms to play, eat and drink
- Find it hard to balance when standing still
- Suddenly become unsteady when walking
- Find it hard going upstairs or uphill
- Trip or fall a lot
- Walk on tiptoes most of the time
- Feel pain in their arms or legs
- Move from laying down or sitting on the floor to standing by using their hands to push off the ground, and “walk” their hands up their legs until they are standing.
5 years
5 YEARS
Contact your health visitor or GP if your baby is 5 years and they…
- Have lost skills which they could do before
- Feel very stiff, for example:
- Hold their arms and legs in the same position, such as always pulling their arm to their chest, or always crossing their legs
- Find it difficult to change their position on their own
- Find it tricky to change their clothes
- Feel very floppy when awake
- Move their arms or legs in repetitive, jerky, or strange ways
- Use one side of their body more than the other, for example:
- Lean to the side when they sit
- Drag one leg or foot behind them when walking
- Rarely uses one of their arms to play, eat and drink
- Find it hard to balance, or trip or fall a lot
- Persistently walk on tiptoes
- Suddenly become unsteady when walking
- Feel pain in their arms or legs
- Move from laying or sitting on the floor to standing by using their hands to push off the ground, and “walk” their hands up their legs until they are standing.
15 months
Your Child By Fifteen Months
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does
- Shows you an object she likes
- Claps when excited
- Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
- Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)
Language/Communication Milestones
- Tries to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada,” like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog
- Looks at a familiar object when you name it
- Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, “Give me the toy.”
- Points to ask for something or to get help
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
- Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Takes a few steps on his own
- Uses fingers to feed herself some food
18 months
Your Child By Eighteen Months
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
- Points to show you something interesting
- Puts hands out for you to wash them
- Looks at a few pages in a book with you
- Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot
Language/Communication Milestones
- Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”
- Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
- Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
- Scribbles
- Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
- Feeds himself with his fingers
- Tries to use a spoon
- Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
2 years
Your Child By Two Years
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
- Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation
Language/Communication Milestones
- Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”
- Says at least two words together, like “More milk.”
- Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you
- Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off
- Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
- Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Kicks a ball
- Runs
- Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
- Eats with a spoon
2.5 years
Your Child By Thirty Months
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
- Shows you what she can do by saying, “Look at me!”
- Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, “It’s clean-up time.”
Language/Communication Milestones
- Says about 50 words
- Says two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run”
- Names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?”
- Says words like “I,” “me,” or “we”
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
- Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something
- Follows two-step instructions like “Put the toy down and close the door.”
- Shows he knows at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
- Takes some clothes off by himself, like loose pants or an open jacket
- Jumps off the ground with both feet
- Turns book pages, one at a time, when you read to her
3 years
Your Child By Three Years
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a childcare drop off
- Notices other children and joins them to play
Language/Communication Milestones
- Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
- Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?”
- Says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running,” “eating,” or “playing”
- Says first name, when asked
- Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Draws a circle, when you show him how
- Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
- Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket
- Uses a fork
4 years
Your Child By Four Years
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
- Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”
- Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
- Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
- Likes to be a “helper”
- Changes behavior based on where she is (place of worship, library, playground)
Language/Communication Milestones
- Says sentences with four or more words
- Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
- Talks about at least one thing that happened during her day, like “I played soccer.”
- Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Names a few colors of items
- Tells what comes next in a well-known story
- Draws a person with three or more body parts
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Catches a large ball most of the time
- Serves herself food or pours water, with adult supervision
- Unbuttons some buttons
- Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)
5 years
Your Child By Five Years
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
- Sings, dances, or acts for you
- Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating
Language/Communication Milestones
- Tells a story she heard or made up with at least two events. For example, a cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it
- Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him
- Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
- Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Counts to 10
- Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
- Uses words about time, like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night”
- Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities. For example, during story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count)
- Writes some letters in her name
- Names some letters when you point to them
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Buttons some buttons
- Hops on one foot
Advice and Guidance
Keeping Your Home Warm
Many families are finding it hard to afford keeping their home at the temperature needed to stay warm and healthy.
Living in a cold and damp home can lead to:
- more respiratory infections
- higher levels of asthma
- effects on mental health such as depression
- slower growth and development for children
- less money to spend on food
- family stress
How to save energy:
- turn off standby appliances such as your TV at the wall
- turn down your thermostat
- turn off heating in rooms you are not using
- switch off lights when you leave a room
- fill kettles only with the amount of water you need
- put a lid on pans when cooking
- slow cookers and microwaves are the most efficient cooking methods. Gas hobs are more energy efficient compared to electric hobs
- wash clothes at a lower temperature
- if you have one make sure your water immersion heater is not on all day
- be smarter about hot water use. Use a washing up bowl instead of running a tap. Reduce shower time
- draw your curtains at dusk to stop draughts and heat loss
- fit radiator foil behind radiators on external walls
- move furniture away from radiators and heaters
- draught proof your property. Use draught excluders. Seal cracks in floors and skirting boards. Block unused chimneys. Line your letterbox
- monitor your energy use
Please visit home energy saving for more tips and Information.
How can I get help?
If you are spending a large amount of your household income on energy bills because you are on a low income or have a low energy efficient home you may qualify for benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers - click here for information.
If you’re living in social housing, contact your housing association or local authority in the first instance.
If you’re renting privately or own your home, these services might be able to help:
Households in Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, East Hampshire, Eastleigh, Winchester or Basingstoke and Dean can apply online to the Warmer Homes programme or by calling 0800 038 5737.
Hoseholds in Southampton can contact Southampton Healthy Homes by telephone: 0800 804 8601 or email: keepwarm@environmentcentre.com.
Households in Dorset can contact Dorset Healthy home by freephone on 0300 003 7023, by texting INSULATION followed by YOUR NAME to 07984 440584 or by clicking here.
If anyone in your household is receiving benefits speak to your energy supplier about help available. The Energy Company Obligation scheme supports energy efficiency improvements.
Energy Saving Trust and Simple Energy Advice (freephone: 0800 444202) have more information.
Warm home discount scheme
The warm home discount scheme is a one off discount of up to £150 off your energy bill over winter. Your energy supplier needs to participate in the scheme for you to get the discount. If you are on a low income you may qualify. Contact your energy supplier as soon as possible. There are a limited number of discounts each winter. Your energy supplier can tell you how to apply.
Cold weather payments
This is a government scheme which gives eligible people £25 for every 7 days the temperature is 0 degrees C or below between 1st November and 31st March. You may qualify if you receive:
- income support
- income based job seeker’s allowance
- income related employment and support allowance
- universal credit
- pension credit
If you qualify it should be paid automatically and does not effect your other benefits. You can check your eligibility using a benefit calculator.
Further help and support
Turn 2 Us is a national charity that helps people who are struggling financially.
Citizens Advice is a network of independent charities who offer free and confidential advice online, over the phone and in person.
British Gas Energy Trust offers energy grants to customers and non-customers. Visit the website or call them on 0121 348 7797
Simple ways to save water at home
MoneyHelper has advice on what to do if you are worried about your energy bills rising
Housing
Damp and mould
A child’s health and education can suffer if they do not have a safe and warm home.
No one wants to live in a damp, mouldy or cold home. You can ask the council for help if your landlord won’t deal with repairs or bad conditions in your home.
Damp and Mould
Children living in a damp home are up to 3 times more likely to have breathing problems. The most common cause of damp is condensation. Condensation happens when water in the air comes into contact with a cold surface e.g. wall or window.
Sometimes damp/mould happens when a house needs repairs e.g. a leaking pipe. First try to find out what is causing the damp and fix the problem. You may need advice from a damp specialist or a builder.
Tips to reduce damp in your home:
- Dry clothes outside or use a vented tumble dryer
- Keep lids on pans when cooking
- Use an extractor fan when cooking or showering
- Keep the kitchen or bathroom door closed and open a window so that moist air goes outside
- Let fresh air circulate by leaving a gap between walls and furniture
- Heat your home a little more if possible as very cold rooms are more likely to get damp or mouldy. It helps to keep your home above 15 degrees
- Wipe down damp windows with a cloth and wring it out (don’t dry it on a radiator)
- Open bedroom windows for 5-10 minutes every morning
- Insulate your home e.g. your loft
- Draft proof your doors
Damp can cause mould to grow on the walls. Mould is a type of fungus. Mould produces spores which your child can breathe in. This may worsen asthma.
Tips for treating mould in your home:
- Remove the cause of the damp
- Clean off mould using a mould spray e.g. containing bleach
- Leave to dry overnight and then spray the area with an anti fungal wash following the manufacturers instructions
- Redecorate using mould-resistant paint
What to do about damp and mould if you rent
Tell your landlord if you have damp especially if it is affecting your child’s health.
Further information and support:
Advice on condensation, damp and mould from the centre for sustainable energy.
Shelter provide advice on damp in rented homes and what to do if it is affecting your health.
You may also be able to get a housing assessment from your local council. You can find contact information in the Local Support and Contact Details section below.
Asthma UK also provide advice about mould and damp.
Heating
Children living in cold homes are twice as likely to have breathing problems such as asthma.
Some families need to make hard decisions about whether to buy things like food or use that money to heat their home.
Visit our information above on Keeping your house warm.
Pests (rats / insects)
Problems with your home can sometimes lead to pests e.g. ants, rats, mites and bedbugs.
It isn’t always clear who is responsible for dealing with pests. Your landlord will probably be responsible if the problem has happened because repairs are needed, for example fixing holes in the wall.
You might be responsible for dealing with the problem if it was caused by something you did, for example not disposing of rubbish properly.
Tips for avoiding rats:
- Block up gaps around pipes
- Repair holes in the pointing
- Keep rubbish in your bin and avoid it overflowing
- Don’t leave bin bags outside
- Don’t feed the birds as it will also attract rats and mice
Check if your local council provides a pest control service. Those that don’t should still be able to provide you with some advice. You can find contact information for your local council in the Local Support section below.
Further advice:
Citizens advice on pests and vermin
Shelter provide information about who is responsible for dealing with an infestation in your rented home and what you can do about it.
The National Pest Technicians Association and the British Pest Control Association can provide details of local pest control services.
Repairs
Shelter provides advice on housing, including problems with repairs.
Safety
The home is the most common place for young children to get injured. Children who live in rented, older or overcrowded homes are at higher risk of injury.
- Tips on safety in the home.
- Get a safe and well check from the fire service. They provide advice to those at low risk of fire. They may offer a home visit to those at high risk.
- RoSPA provides lots of useful information e.g. about blind cords, falls, fires, poisoning, suffocating and choking, drowning, scalds and burns.
At risk of homelessness
Everybody should have a safe place to live. It is a basic human right. However, we know that there are thousands of children across the UK who do not have this. You don’t have to be living on the street to be considered homeless. Some families live in temporary accommodation, with friends or sofa surf whilst others live in fear of losing their home.
If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness:
- Speak to your local council as soon as possible. You can find contact information in the Local Support and Contact Details section below.
- If you are struggling to pay rent speak to your landlord or letting agent as soon as possible
- Speak to your social worker if you have one
- Make a list of people you trust who you could stay with if you had to
- Pack what you need e.g. warm clothes, phone charger, medication and I.D
If the council agrees that you are eligible then it must offer you accommodation. This is likely to be temporary accommodation. If you turn down an offer of temporary accommodation, the council may refuse to offer you anything else. In general it is best to accept it and challenge it later, unless you are at risk of harm there.
Where can I get help?
If you are in immediate danger, dial 999 and speak to the police.
Childline - if you are a child in need of help, call for free on 0800 1111.
Centrepoint - Advice and support for young people in England aged 16-25. Call free on 0808 800 0661 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).
Shelter - Support and advice if you are homeless, have nowhere to stay tonight, are worried about losing your home in the next 2 months or are at risk of harm. Call free on 0808 800 4444 (Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm).
Citizens Advice - Get advice about housing, your homeless application and how to challenge the council’s homeless decision. Call the national advice line on 0800 144 8848.
Duty to refer
Some organisations such as hospitals and social workers have a duty to refer anyone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless within the next 56 days.
Local Support and Contact Details
Click here for local information about housing support
Damp and mould
Children living in a damp home are up to 3 times more likely to have breathing problems. Damp can cause mould to grow on the walls. Mould is a type of fungus. If you have got mould at home, you will probably notice fuzzy black, white or green patches on the walls, ceilings or tiles. It might smell damp and musty.
Mould is more common in homes which need repairs. You might notice it’s more damp and mouldy in bathrooms or kitchens because of condensation from washing and cooking. Condensation happens when water in the air comes into contact with a cold surface e.g. wall or window.
Why are damp and mould a problem for asthma?
Asthma and Lung UK describe how living in a damp, mouldy home is not good for your child's asthma.
- Mould produces spores which can be breathed in. If your child is allergic to mould spores they might have symptoms like coughing, wheezing, sneezing or watery eyes. It could trigger their asthma symptoms.
- Damp and mouldy housing can put your child more at risk of other things that can make their asthma worse like chest infections, colds and flu, and rhinitis (irritated nose).
- Dust mites are more of a problem in homes that are damp and warm.
What to do if you’ve got damp and mould at home
It is best to act quickly to sort out the problem before it gets worse. You need to:
- Deal with the damp. Find out what’s causing the damp, such as leaks, or condensation from cooking, showering or drying clothes indoors.
- Report any repairs needed or leaks, or problems with mould. If you’re living in social housing then contact your housing association or local authority. If you’re renting privately, Shelter have information about talking to your landlord/landlady. They provide further advice if your private landlord won’t do repairs.
- Get support if you are struggling to keep your home warm and dry. Citizen’s Advice offer advice on grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills and on switching energy supplier. You may be able to access support from affordable warmth services in your local area such as help with repairing your boiler if you are on a low income. Visit our section above on keeping your home warm for further advice.
- Deal with the mould. Don’t try and get rid of any mould by yourself if you have asthma that is triggered by mould. Ask a friend to help. Get a mould removal specialist or builder in if the mould covers more than 1 square metre or if it is caused by problems with the building itself or sewage.
5 top tips to reduce damp in your home from Asthma and Lung UK
- Open windows and doors so air can move around. Be careful on high pollen or high pollution days if these are triggers
- Try to avoid drying clothes indoors. If you have nowhere else to dry them, open a window if you can
- Use extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Open a window when cooking or after a shower or bath
- Close the door of the room you are in if you are cooking or showering to prevent condensation in other rooms
- Try to keep your home at a good background temperature so it never gets too cold. At least 15 degrees in all rooms
Tips for treating mould in your home
- Remove the cause of the damp
- Clean off mould using a mould spray e.g. containing bleach
- Leave to dry overnight and then spray the area with an anti fungal wash following the manufacturers instructions
- Redecorate using mould-resistant paint
Further information and support
Advice on condensation, damp and mould from the centre for sustainable energy.
Shelter provide advice on damp in rented homes and what to do if it is affecting your families health.
Asthma UK also provide advice about mould and damp.
Home energy saving tips from Groundwork’s Green Doctor energy efficiency experts give tips on setting your storage heater to save money, reducing energy costs from appliances within your home, saving money by adjusting your hot water temperature, using programmers and thermostats to make sure you aren’t wasting heat, draught proofing to save money and keep warm, and installing radiator foil to keep heat in.
You may also be able to get help from your local council; click here for contact details.
Money worries
It is common for people to be worried about money and their finances. This can be a source of stress and anxiety. At some point we can all do with help and advice.
This page has some hints and tips on managing your money. There are links to places you can find support and advice.
These include budget planning and debt advice, household bills, shopping, food banks, baby banks, school uniform exchanges, and support during school holidays.
You may also be entitled to free welfare benefits - click here for a confidential benefits calculator to find out what benefits you are entitled to claim.
Talking about money
It is important to have conversations with your partner, children and friends about money. MoneyHelper’s Talk Money series can help have those difficult conversations. It also has advice on teaching your children and teenagers about money.
Budget planning and Debt advice
- Money Helper has a collection of guides to help you manage your money and save. They have advice on managing your money in uncertain times.
- Step Change offers free debt advice and support online. Their online debt test can help you find out if you need help
- MoneySavingExpert has a money makeover guide
- Citizens Advice has advice on getting help with bills and help with the cost of living
- If you are on a low income you can get help with saving
- You can claim tax relief for job expenses including working from home, uniform, work clothes and tools
- There can be a lot to sort out following the death of someone close. MoneyHelper has guides to help you know what you need to do
Household bills
Many people are already taking measures to reduce their bills at home.
Our keeping your home warm section above for tips on reducing energy use and information on how you can get help.
Citizens advice has information on grants and benefits to help you pay for your energy bills.
MoneyHelper has information on what to do if you are worried about your energy bills rising.
There are simple ways to save water at home. You can also see if it would be cheaper to have a water meter using this calculator.
MoneySavingExpert website has guides and tools to help you get the best deal on your household bills.
Running a car is another large household expense. MoneyHelper has guidance on buying and running a care.
There are guides on buying car insurance.
Compare fuel prices in your area with this app.
Shopping
There are tips available to try to reduce the cost of your supermarket shop from money saving expert and the video below.
Supermarket shopping comparison app could help.
The too good to go scheme allows you to buy food at cheaper prices before it goes to waste.
Local food banks
Food banks provide free emergency supplies of food. To visit a food bank you may need to contact Citizen's advice, local children's centre or your Health visitor for a foodbank voucher. Click here for details about your local food bank.
School Uniform Exchanges
Take a look at the Uniformd app for purchasing second hand school uniforms at low cost.
The Uniform Share Store in Portsmouth helps families across the city by getting children and young people kitted out in their school uniform
Baby banks
These provide items for babies. You may need to ask your midwife or health visitor for a referral to the baby bank.
- Portsmouth
- Southampton
- Baby equipment bank - Oasis of Life Centre
- Baby Branch Southampton Growbaby - St Andrew's Church, Sholing
- Hampshire
- Dorset
- Baby bank - Poole
Second hand items
You may have items which you can sell online this video shows you how.
Support during School Holidays
There is support for children who have free school meals during the school holidays:
Digital Access
Digital access is a growing problem. Some families don't have easy access to devices like computers, laptops or smartphones. You might also have problems paying for enough mobile or broadband data.
The skills to use these devices and the internet are important to connect with others, access information and services.
Mobile and broadband data
The National Databank provides free mobile data, texts and calls to people. It’s like a ‘food bank’ for internet data. You need to be over 18 years old to apply and live in a low income household. Find your local online centre.
There are cheaper broadband and phone packages called social tariffs. If you are on benefits you may qualify for cheap, long term social tariffs. They are not advertised and don’t appear on price comparison websites. You can find more information from Ofcom or Money Saving Expert.
When looking for a solution make sure it is:
- Cheap. Is it affordable not just at the start but over time? Compare on price comparison sites. Ask about social tariffs which are not included on these sites.
- Handy. Is it easy to find out about, easy to apply for and easy to access?
- Enough. Will it meet my needs? Is it fast enough? Is there enough data? 10-15 Mbps should be fine for basic internet tasks. 30-40 Mbps should be fine for everyday internet use. 50-100 Mbps may be needed in larger households using the internet for activities such as streaming, gaming and video calls at the same time.
- Safe. Is your privacy protected?
- Suitable. Is it suitable for your situation and flexible if things change?
The Good Things Foundation have produced a guide for supporting people with mobile and broadband data.
Public WiFi
Public WiFi and free internet access in public spaces is widespread. It can be unsuitable for some things.
Tips for safe use of public WiFi:
- Connect to a network you trust
- Don’t access personal or financial information on a public network
- Look out for secure websites
- Pay attention to alerts and warnings
- Disable file sharing
Access to devices
There are organisations who work with community groups and schools to provide access to digital devices for people who need them.
The Learning Foundation is a national charity that helps schools work with families to provide computers and access to the internet for all pupils.
Family Fund offers grants to families on a low income with a child under 18 years who has a disability or life-limiting illness. You can apply for a computer or tablet to support your child.
Local libraries
Libraries have computers which are free to use. Many libraries allow you to book a session before you visit. Some libraries also have free WiFi networks. Links to find your local library and the services it offers are below.
Further Resources
BBC WebWise has a series of short films introducing topics on using email, using the internet, using mobiles and keeping safe online.
Learn My Way offers free online courses for beginners helping you develop digital skills.
Ofcom’s tool allows you to check broadband and mobile coverage in your area.
Self care and Prevention
Video Showcase
Related Conditions
Further Information
