Healthy Start Scheme Training

Presentation Slides and Meeting Notes -  July 2024

Did you know the Healthy Start Scheme is worth over £1000 per child if claimed from pregnancy? Many Croydon residents are eligible, but they are not claiming this benefit. 

We ran two online Healthy Start workshops in June and July aimed at Croydon’s frontline workers to support understanding of eligibility and how to signpost pregnant women and families with children under 5 to the Government Healthy Start Scheme. These sessions were delivered by Citizens Advice Wandsworth. 

Healthy Start Scheme Slide Presentation:  https://cvalive.org.uk/assets/documents/healthy-start-presentation-sli

Healthy Start downloadable leaflets and posters: here

Healthy Start Scheme Guide for Professionals: here

Healthy Start Scheme: Clients receive  free vouchers every week to spend on milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, infant formula milk and free vitamins.

Answer to question raised during the training: Copies of birth certificates can be used for the Healthy Start applications. A photograph of certificates taken on a mobile phone will be accepted provided it's legible. 

Contact Details for Healthy Start Scheme

  • Website: www.healthystart.nhs.uk
  • NHS Healthy Start helpline:  0300 330 7010 - Open Monday - Friday, 8am - 6pm.
  • Choose 2 for an interpreter.
  • Choose 3 on both menus for everything else. Calls are generally answered immediately.
  • *No support by phone for NRPF applications.
  • Customer service email address: healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
  • Automated line: 0300 330 2090* Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for card queries.
  • NHS Healthy Start team: healthystartdigital@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
  • Follow on social media: @NHSHealthyStart
  • Healthy Start Scheme Promotional Support Team:  We are able to support local community groups or food banks who require assistance in promoting the scheme. Whilst we aren't always able to support requests for printed materials, we will always look to provide help with promotion where possible. E: communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
  • We also have a communications toolkit, which contains digital materials such as digital screens, social media graphics and pre-written copy that can be used without any need for print. These resources can be found here.

Croydon Pharmacies: Find a pharmacy

Health Visitors: https://www.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/health-visitors/

Health Visitor Duty Line 0208 274 6006 – Option 1, Monday to Friday 9.15 am – 4.30 pm (closes for lunch from 12.30-1.30 pm). 

 

Best Start Children’s Centres offer services, activities and support for families with children under 5.  Most activities, apart from childcare are either offered free, or at a small cost. Every centre is unique and provides a wide range of services and activities you might need as a family with a baby or young child. Best Start also offer a range of community activities and services that provide families with support. For details of Best Start Children's Centres click here | Facebook: croydonbeststart | Twitter: @cbeststart | Website: www.croydon.gov.uk/beststart

 

Help making a NRPF (No Recourse to Public Funds) application

Not everyone will have the documents requested:

• Proof of NRPF or lack of immigration status,

• Proof that the child is British,

• Evidence of financial situation.

You will need to email (no phone support is available) to ask questions if needed

Send completed form and supporting evidence by email: healthystartclaim@nhsbsa.dhsc.gov.uk

Project 17 Supports families with No Recourse to Public Funds or no immigration status to apply for section 17 support from Children's Services.

• 07963 509044 to self-refer

Project 17 can support professionals working with a family, and take on a limited amount of casework:

• Advice for professionals on 07701 330016, or by email info@project17.org

Organisations in Croydon supporting families with children 0 – 5 years.

Home Start Croydon Many parents need advice, support and friendship during the early years of parenthood. Home-Start helps families by providing practical and emotional support in the home where there is at least one child aged 5 or under. Telephone: 020 8667 0207 | Website: www.croydon-homestart.co.uk | Email: contact@croydon-homestart.co.uk

His Grace Evangelical Outreach can assist those who need support to complete the Healthy Start application. They also provide the following support.

  • His Grace Food Bank - Fresh Vegetables and other food produce and Baby product. Every Friday 2pm to 4pm
  • His Grace Croydon North East Community Hub: Tuesdays 12pm to 3pm
  • Help with Completing Forms. Housing Advice, Employment Support, Benefits Support and Health and Wellbeing Support.

His Grace Evangelical Outreach Contact details: info@hisgrace-evangelicaloutreach.co.uk | 07946546507

Babyzone Croydon A free safe and welcoming space for families to bring their children aged between 0 and 5 years.

  • No need to book and there is no timetable so families cannot be late and we do not ask families to sign up or sign in - open to all.
  • We have spaces for families with under 5’s to play, run and read.
  • We have a range of free classes which run throughout the day for families with babies and toddlers (where you can dance, sing and chat together).
  • We provide support and advice for local services.
  • When: Every Thursday 09:30 - 14:30 (term time only)
  • Where: Legacy Youth Zone, 125 Whitehorse Road, Croydon, CR0 2LG *Please note there is no on site parking. We recommend using public transport. For Greater London locations please visit www.tfl.gov.uk to plan your journey
  • For up-to-date information please visit our Facebook page | Email: hello@babyzone.org.uk.

Building Blocks Baby Bank Providing essentials to families in need in Croydon.

When: Open every Monday between 11 am - 2 pm (excluding Bank Holidays)

Where: Donation and Collection from Church of God (Seventh Day), Croydon Road, Croydon CR0 3SE

This Baby Bank in the Croydon area supports local families (and beyond) who are in urgent need of help. We can help with nappies, wipes, formula milk, toiletries, clothes, and more.

West Wickham & Shirley Baptist Church Baby Bank

WWSBC Baby Bank provides equipment, clothing (Newborn – 5 years) and toiletries free of charge for anyone on a low income or struggling with the cost of living.

When: Open on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday morning, from 9.30 - 11.30am.

Where: West Wickham & Shirley Baptist Church, Wickham Road, CR0 8E

T: 020 8777 5705 | E: office@wwsbc.org.uk | https://www.wwsbc.org.uk/hub

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087116726972

Croydon Citizens Advice: You can also get information online at: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

or call 0808 278 7960 from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. Your call might not be answered by someone from the Croydon office. When Croydon Advisors are on other calls, a trained Citizens Advice adviser from another part of the country will answer your call.

Useful Directories 

  • Croydon Libraries For list of 14 Croydon Libraries here
  • Croydon Voluntary Action Online Directories here 
  • Croydon Voluntary Action online directory, booklets and Flyers

Autism Services in Croydon

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence

Debt & Benefit Advice: