Wellbeing and Community Support
Day-to-Day Support
St Gwladys Church Services
St Gwladys’ Church Hall offers a welcoming space for our local community. Thanks to the dedication of staff and volunteers, the Hall is a busy hub with weekly groups and special events throughout the year — there’s something for everyone.
St Gwladys’ Church provides various support services, including:
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Clothing bank
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Household essentials (including electrical items, bedding, and kitchenware)
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Free emergency food bags
🔗Support on Offer | St Gwladys Church
Free* Child’s Meal at Morrisons
At Morrisons cafés nationwide, children under 16 can enjoy a free meal from the kids’ menu with the purchase of any adult meal over £4.50. This offer is available every day, all day.
*Free child’s meal with any adult meal over £4.50.
Period Dignity
Caerphilly County, funded by the Welsh Government Period Dignity Grant, provides free period products to families and young people.
Periods are a natural part of life and should never be a source of shame or disadvantage. Free period products — including reusable and disposable options such as tampons, menstrual cups, period pants, and pads — are available through schools and over 90 locations across the Caerphilly county.
For more information or to request products for your organisation, contact rowler@caerphilly.gov.uk or call 07955 433254.
🔗 Period Dignity | Caerphilly.gov.uk
Cost of Living Support
Within the council, there is a range of services that are providing support to help our communities at this time. You can find a detailed list of these services on the Cost of Living Landing Page on the CCBC website. However, below is a summary of some of the specific cost-of-living support options currently available.
You or the people you support can contact the team via email, telephone or simply text SUPPORT to 07537 414443 and one of the team will contact you directly.
📞 01443 811490
📧 caerphillycares@caerphilly.gov.uk
🔗 Cost of Living Support and Advice | CCBC
Financial Hardship and Maximising Income
If you're experiencing financial hardship, the Welfare Benefits and Cost of Living teams within Housing (Rents) can support you with a wide range of issues. This includes help with accessing additional benefits, grants, and even direct financial assistance. Advisers can also offer guidance on reducing household energy costs and provide access to fuel vouchers.
Fuel Vouchers
If you're struggling to top up a pre-payment energy meter, you may be eligible for a fuel voucher. These can be used to quickly add credit to your energy supply in partnership with Citizens Advice.
Foodbank Support
The Caerphilly Cares team provides funding and direct referrals to local food banks. The foodbank network spans the entire county borough, and staff can issue foodbank vouchers immediately to anyone in urgent need of food or household essentials.
Mobile Phones
Some residents may struggle to access services without a working phone. If a customer or family you're supporting needs a phone to stay in touch, Caerphilly Cares may be able to provide a basic call-only phone and credit.
Data SIM Cards
In collaboration with the National Databank, we are offering free SIM cards pre-loaded with mobile data, calls, and texts to support those with limited or no access to the internet.
Eligibility
To receive support via the National Databank with a SIM card or voucher, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be from a low-income household
You must also meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Have no access or insufficient access to the internet at home
- Have no or insufficient access to the internet when away from home
- Cannot afford your existing monthly contract or top-up
To learn more about this offer or to request a SIM card, please contact the school:
📧 HeoldduComprehensive@sch.caerphilly.gov.uk
📞 01443875531
Housing and Homelessness Support
If someone is struggling with housing, tenancy issues, or is facing the risk of homelessness, the Supporting People team can provide expert advice. Support includes help with finding accommodation, completing forms, managing debts, accessing benefits, and dealing with eviction notices or rent/mortgage arrears.
Employment Support
The Council’s employment team can help residents find work by offering support with CVs, job searching, interview preparation, and access to training. They can also carry out "better off" calculations for anyone concerned about how working may affect their benefits.
Community Connectors
The Community Connectors team helps adults (18+) reduce social isolation and feel more connected to their communities. They help individuals find local groups, meet others with similar interests, and promote independence and wellbeing. If you know someone who may benefit, contact Caerphilly Cares.
Welcoming Spaces
A network of Welcoming Spaces (formerly known as Warm Hubs) is available across the county borough. These spaces offer a warm, welcoming environment — many are free and may include activities, advice, hot food or drinks. Locations include libraries, community centres, church halls, and sports clubs. Get in touch for more details on spaces near you.
Parent and Child Support
Through collaborative support, we aim to empower every parent and carer with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive, support their families, and contribute to our community’s growth. The #EmpowerED initiative reflects our commitment to building a strong support network where all individuals feel valued, heard, and equipped to shape a brighter future for themselves and their children.
Parent and Child Support
We are committed to empowering every parent and carer with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive, support their families, and contribute to the wider community. The #EmpowerED initiative reflects our dedication to building a strong, inclusive network where everyone feels valued, supported, and confident in shaping a brighter future for themselves and their children.
Parenting Support – Help and Advice from Give It Time
Give It Time is a Welsh Government resource that offers practical advice and emotional support for parents and carers. It covers a wide range of topics, including:
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Behaviour and discipline
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Bereavement and loss
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School life and routines
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Social media and bullying
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Co-parenting
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Health and wellbeing
The site includes videos, downloadable advice sheets, and a support page linking to trusted organisations for help with mental health, substance use, and family relationships.
🔗 Children 8 to 12 years
🔗 Children 13+
🔗 Support page
Local Family Support Services
Families can access a wide range of local support services, including:
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Parenting workshops
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Playgroups and after-school programmes
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Family activities and events
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Counselling and mental health services
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Support for children with disabilities
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Health clinics offering advice on nutrition and wellbeing
These services are designed to help families grow stronger, healthier, and more connected.
Families First
National Youth Advocacy Service
🔗 Children and Young People Advocacy
'Care'-Philly News
🔗 Caerphilly Carers Team | Bargoed Support Group
Heddlu Gwent Police
Platfform
The Parent Network (CCBC)
Barnardos
🔗 Caerphilly Confident Parents | Stronger Families
Mind (Mental Health and Wellbeing Support)
Healthier Together
🔗 S.P.A.C.E Wellbeing Caerphilly
Young Minds
NHS
Gwent Drug and Alcohol Support (GDAS)
Melo (Mental Health Support)
Marie Curie
🔗 Wales Bereavement Information and Support Service (BISS)
Fearless
Young Carers
The Caerphilly Carers Team offers information, advice, and support for unpaid and informal carers, including young carers. They run regular groups, events, and activities to help carers in their role and to provide valuable peer support.
Come along to the Bargoed Support Group to meet other carers, enjoy a drink, and have a chat in a friendly, supportive environment.
🔗 Young Carers Support | Bargoed
Supporting Your Child's Online Presence
Empower your parenting with National College — a free online platform packed with resources to help parents and carers support their child’s education and wellbeing.
Access explainer videos, online courses, helpful guides, and newsletters covering important topics such as:
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Online safety
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Mental health
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Climate change
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Supporting learning at home
These resources are designed to help you have informed conversations with your child, better understand their education, and support their learning journey.
Key benefits:
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Increased knowledge and parenting skills
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Better communication with your child
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Stronger understanding of school topics
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Support for your child’s learning
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Free and flexible access — anytime, anywhere
🔗 Visit nationalcollege.com to explore the full range of guides and resources.
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Emotional Wellbeing
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Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
Children spend over 7,800 hours in school during their education. With such a large part of their lives spent in the classroom, schools play a vital role in supporting their health and wellbeing.
At Heolddu, our Health and Wellbeing curriculum is designed to give pupils the tools they need to thrive long after they leave school. We create an environment that supports positive emotional wellbeing, identifies early signs of distress, and equips pupils with strategies to manage their emotions effectively.
The social and emotional skills taught in school help young people build resilience and develop healthy patterns for managing their mental health throughout life.
Emotional wellbeing is closely linked to academic success, confidence, and future life satisfaction. Evidence shows that school-based mental health and wellbeing programmes:
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Improve pupils’ mental health
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Build key emotional and social skills
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Reduce bullying and disruptive behaviour
“Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an individual realises their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make contributions to their community.”
— World Health Organization, 2014
What is mental health?
How do we promote good mental health and wellbeing?
Our approach to mental health and wellbeing follows the Five Ways to Wellbeing:
1. Give
Acts of kindness are a key part of life at Heolddu and are supported by our school vision and values. We also support an annual charity through our School Senedd. Pupils are rewarded with ClassCharts points as part of our positive behaviour strategy.
2. Connect
Strong relationships underpin everything we do. Staff build meaningful connections with pupils and their families, creating a supportive and trusting environment.
3. Be Active
All children take part in two hours of high-quality PE each week, alongside a wide range of extra-curricular physical activities.
4. Take Notice
We promote wellbeing through Nurture groups and during School PSE and wellbeing weeks. Staff are trained to recognise changes in behaviour, ensuring early identification and support when issues arise.
5. Keep Learning
Our curriculum is engaging and diverse. The school’s Health and Wellbeing curriculum includes opportunities beyond the national curriculum, such as outdoor learning and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
What do we do when concerns arise around mental health and wellbeing?
We place a strong emphasis on listening to pupils. Every child is different, and understanding their unique experience is vital to providing the right support. Our approach includes:
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Listening and understanding – Talking with the child and their family to understand the difficulty.
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Planning support – Creating an individualised plan tailored to their needs, with regular reviews.
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Using appropriate interventions – These may include:
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Nurture Group
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ELSA sessions
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The Five Point Scale
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Referrals if needed – This may involve external services such as SBC, the School Nursing Service, or Llamau Mediation.
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Supporting families – We ensure parents and carers have strategies and support to help at home.
Helping families understand mental health and wellbeing in children and adults
Anxiety is a normal part of life, and everyone experiences it from time to time. Children and adolescents often go through periods of anxiety that are a typical part of growing up — some examples are outlined in the table below.
It’s important to understand that there’s no ‘correct’ amount of worry. Anxiety becomes a concern when it prevents someone from living the life they want, or when it leaves them feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or demoralised.
Developmental Age Normative Fears Infancy (0-2 years) - Separation anxiety
- ‘Stranger danger’
- Loud noises
- Large objects
Early Childhood (3-6 years) - Imaginary creatures
- Noises
- Sleeping alone
- Darkness
- Injury
- Animals
- Doctors/hospitals
- Thunder and other natural events
Middle Childhood - Thunder and other natural events
- School Performance
- Health
- Death
- Social Competence
Adolescence - New experiences
- School Performance
- Health
- Natural Disasters
- Social Competence
Mental Health Linked to COVID-19
Some children and young people enjoyed time away from school, while others found the disruption caused by the pandemic more challenging, particularly being kept at home and separated from friends. Some may also be dealing with personal difficulties such as bereavement or changes in their living arrangements.
As restrictions ease in some areas, pupils may face new challenges, including anxiety about returning to school or fears about catching or passing on the virus. The future remains uncertain, which can add to these worries.
For most, these feelings will gradually settle. However, there are always steps you can take to support their emotional wellbeing and help them manage the difficulties they’re facing.
(NHS)
What to do if you're finding things challenging
Parenting or caring for a child or young person can be tough. Looking after your mental wellbeing is crucial, not just for yourself, but so you can support those who rely on you.
Try to recognise and accept when you're feeling low, stressed, or overwhelmed. Experiencing mental health challenges doesn't make you a bad parent or carer.
It's completely normal to feel worried, scared, or helpless during difficult times, and there’s no shame in it.
Is there a friend, fellow parent, or carer you trust to talk to? Perhaps a family member, friend, or colleague could support you or offer you a break. You can also speak to the school, as we may be able to guide you towards useful support services.
There is help available. You don’t have to cope alone.
Useful Links to Support Mental Health and wellbeing:
🔗 Children's Mental Health | NHS
🔗 How to Access Mental Health Services | NHS
🔗 The Mental Health Charity | Mind
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