Health, wellbeing and relationships for care leavers

We can:

• help you register with a doctor and a dentist
• develop a health passport with your childhood information (such as immunisations) and current health needs
• arrange for you to have a free membership to Everyone Active until you're 25
• share advice on health and wellbeing

We can:

• support you to access local health centres
• help you arrange childcare so that you are able to attend (see tax-free childcare on GOV.UK and get free childcare if you're working on GOV.UK)
• help you with travel costs for health appointments

If you need support booking a GP appointment, your personal advisor can help you.

You may be able eligible for free prescriptions. Check if you can get free prescriptions on the NHS website.

If you are not eligible for free prescriptions, you can get a pre-payment prescription card which is funded by NHS Frimley.

This offer is for all care leavers aged 18 to 25 years known to Bracknell Forest.

We can help you get the pre-payment card, or you can apply for it yourself using the pre-payment card online form. 

You may be able eligible for free eye tests. Check if you are eligible for free eye tests on the NHS website.

If you are not eligible for free eye tests, as a care leaver aged 18 to 25 years Frimley NHS will fund your eye tests.

Please ask your personal advisor to fill out this form: apply for an eye health check up. 

You may be able eligible for free dental care. Check if you are eligible for free dental care on the NHS website.

If you are not eligible for free dental checks, as a care leaver aged 18 to 25 years Frimley NHS will fund your dental checks.

Please ask your personal advisor to fill out this form: apply for a dental health check up. 

Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health. We work closely with the CAMHS Children in Care Team across East Berkshire to make sure you can get the right support when you need it. We start work before you turn 18.

We make sure that your support doesn't suddenly stop as you become an adult and move through your care leaver journey.

The CAMHS Children in Care Team also provides advice and guidance to our personal advisers and social workers. This helps them better understand the impact of trauma, attachment and life experiences so they can support you in the best possible way.

Your personal adviser or social worker can talk to you about what support might be helpful and help you access the right services. We work together to make sure support is joined up, timely and based on your needs and goals.

We can:

• help you access local resources, such as counselling services
• help you with the transition of any CAMHS involvement to adult services

You can also refer yourself to Talking Therapies. 

You can also access the support of the Mental Health Recovery Network (MHRN).

The MHRN supports individuals living with a range of mental health conditions. They help people remain socially included by better understanding their mental health and supporting them to prevent relapses.

Having people you can trust and rely on is important. Where it is safe and appropriate, we will help you stay connected or reconnect with:

• family members
• siblings
• former carers
• friends
• independent visitors
• other people who are important to you

If you would like support to build, strengthen or reconnect with important relationships, your personal adviser can talk to you about a referral to our Roots and Relationships Service. This service can help you: 

• explore your identity
• understand your life story
• reconnect with family members where appropriate
• strengthen the relationships that matter most to you

We can also support you to access your care records and learn more about your personal history through our Life Journey Offer. This can help you better understand your experiences, identity, family history and the journey that has shaped who you are today.

Our aim is for every care leaver to have strong relationships, a sense of belonging, and a good understanding of their own story as they move into adulthood.

We can support with transport costs, once a month, to help you keep in contact with people that are important to you.

Your sexual health is important and we want you to know where to go for support and advice.

We can help you access these services in confidence.

Jan Welch is the nurse we work with in Bracknell.

Find information on local sexual health services on the Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust website. This covers services in Bracknell Forest, Slough and Windsor & Maidenhead.

The sexual health team offers help and advice on contraception, sexually transmitted infections and other sexual health problems. You can also access sexual health support options through their online booking system.

If you are 18+, you can order a free home STI testing kit from Sexual Health Experts.

To speak to someone in-person, contact The Garden Clinic at Skimped Hill. 

If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak, call 999 and press 55 when prompted.

Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their relationships.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, controlling behaviour, harassment, stalking, threats or violence from a partner, ex-partner or family member, support is available. You can learn more and get advice about it on our domestic abuse page.

Your personal adviser can help you access confidential advice, specialist support and safe accommodation if needed.

Local support

There is local support available to you.

Domestic Abuse Prevention Service (DAPS)

DAPS provides advice, support and safety planning for people experiencing domestic abuse.

Domestic Abuse Victim Support Service (DAVSS)

DAVSS offers practical and emotional support to victims of domestic abuse. It can help you stay safe and access specialist services.

Escape the Trap

Escape the Trap is Bracknell Forest's healthy relationships programme for young people. It provides information, advice and support around: 

• healthy relationships
• coercive control
• emotional abuse
• online abuse
• domestic abuse

If you are worried about your own or someone else's relationship, speak to your personal adviser who can help you access the right support.