Health and wellbeing support for care leavers
For the most comprehensive information about our Care Leavers Local Offer, download our Bridges SG App from Google or Apple.
Heath and wellbeing
Knowing your health history is important and as you become a care leaver you will receive your Health Passport at your final health medical.
If you have a learning disability or SEND (special educational needs and disability) then you would have been entitled to have free annual health checks with your GP from the age of 14.
If you are not registered with your local doctor (GP) surgery already, we will support you to do so.
If you also require support registering with an optician and dentist, your personal advisor (PA) can help with this.
You will be entitled to free dental and optical care if you are in receipt of benefits. You will require a HC2 certificate, which you will also need for the cost of your prescriptions.
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) provide primary and secondary mental health services across South Gloucestershire. Your PA can support you with thinking about what service is most appropriate for you.
VitaMinds (NHS) offer a range of free and confidential short-term Talking Therapies (known as IAPT) to anyone who is 16-years and over, which can be accessed through a self-referral.
Social Prescribing provided by Southern Brooks in South Gloucestershire is another way to seek treatment (usually activities) to enhance your wellbeing. If you would like to be referred to a Social Prescribing Link Worker, please speak to your GP.
If you live outside of South Gloucestershire or are having difficulty accessing mental health support you can access 1-2-1 therapy via ‘Ask Jan’ which is in the form of an Ask Jan membership. This provides 24 hour counselling, six 1-2-1 counselling sessions and other personal development opportunities. You can discuss access to this with your PA.
South Glosucestershire Council provides Mental Health First Aider and Wellbeing First Aider training to care leavers and those working with care leavers.
Further health and wellbeing link can be found on the Useful contacts page, including services relating to Sexual Health and Drugs and Alcohol services.
Leisure
If you are a young parent you can access an Active Lifestyle Centre pass which covers swimming and soft play for 12 weeks. Pregnant women can also access free swimming.
If you are aged 18–21 years old you can discuss accessing our Leaving Care Team Active Centre passes. If you are age 21–25 years old you are entitled to purchase an annual pass under the Active Centre’s concession offer.