The challenges of COVID-19 and the lockdown have led to some really tough times for families this year. The From Birmingham with Love campaign is to show all families that there is a little bit of help for them, selected from the many early help services across Birmingham Children’s Partnership.

There is a website www.birmingham.gov.uk/love to share with families, and handouts that can be printed, put up as posters, or given to families (if safe to do so). The website has translated versions of the handouts. Take a look at the offer and please share with all families you support.

Cllr Kate Booth, Cabinet Member for Children’s Wellbeing at Birmingham City Council, said: “We know that a lot of people have faced some especially challenging times due to the pandemic. But there is help is out there so we urge parents to pick up the phone, click on a link or send an email to access the things that will really make a difference to them and their families.”
Here is the full list of the most used services and support available now, which might make life a bit easier for many:

• Online parenting course. We’ve pre-paid for every parent in Birmingham to access a parenting course, worth up to £88. Access code is COMMUNITY.
• Mental health support. In these difficult times we have to look after our mental health:
  - For young people aged 11-25 — Kooth
  - Children and young people aged 0-25 contact Pause on Tel 0207 841 4470 or email
  - For urgent help call Forward Thinking Birmingham on Tel 0300 300 0099
• Financial help. If you’ve lost your job, or are struggling for food or rent:
  - Food, fuel or help with white goods if in crisis at Local welfare provision
  - Help with rent Discretionary Housing Payments
  - And food banks across Birmingham.
• Domestic abuse. For women and children affected by domestic abuse please see guidance or confidentially contact Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid. For Men, please contact Respect.
  • Problems with drugs or alcohol. A new, discrete app called Staying Free is available. To speak to someone call Change Grow Live.
  • Bereavement support. It’s a terrible time to lose a loved one — you can get help, call 0121 687 8010 or go online to the Cruse website.
  • Early help for families. If anyone needs more help, then please contact one of our ten voluntary sector local leads.
  “We really hope to reach families so that they can access the tremendous amount of support that is out there. These are the things that are most important to families and the increasing number of people using them to get the help that they need really does speak for itself.”