Help for families with children
The Early Help Hub
The Early Help Hub offers support services to families with children aged 0-18 years. The Early Help Hub can offer support with housing, finance, education, parenting and health. It is all about providing support for you and your whole family. See the attached leaflet for more information.
Incorporated within the Early Help Hub is the Family Information Service (FIS), a free, impartial service offering help, support and advice on a range of local services. FIS supports families by signposting them to useful information and services. Merthyr Tydfil Family Information Service provides information on childcare, parent and toddler groups, local leisure services, financial support with childcare, education, training and health care. Check the FIS website for further information.
You can also visit Dewis Cymru - 'the place for Wellbeing in Wales', if you want information or advice about your well-being, or want to know how you can help somebody else.
The following Families First services can be accessed through the Early Help Hup or directly through the following links:
STEP (Support Team For Empowered Parents)
https://www.dewis.wales/ResourceDirectory/ViewResource.aspx?id=13780
Barnardos- Family Support
https://www.dewis.wales/ResourceDirectory/ViewResource.aspx?id=13769
Targeted Youth Support
https://www.dewis.wales/ResourceDirectory/ViewResource.aspx?id=13782
Early Language Development
https://www.dewis.wales/ResourceDirectory/ViewResource.aspx?id=13767
Early Years Enhanced Health Support https://www.dewis.wales/ResourceDirectory/ViewResource.aspx?id=13763
Parent Peer Support
https://www.dewis.wales/ResourceDirectory/ViewResource.aspx?id=13783
Saint Davids Baby Bank
https://www.merthyrtydfilministryarea.co.uk/st-davids-baby-bank
Enhanced Health: https://www.dewis.wales/ResourceDirectory/ViewResource.aspx?id=13768
The Exchange Integrated Counselling Service:
https://www.dewis.wales/ResourceDirectory/ViewResource.aspx?id=13778
Primary Emotional Health
https://www.dewis.wales/ResourceDirectory/ViewResource.aspx?id=13781
Free School Meals/Pupil Development Grant
Find out here if you can qualify for help with the cost of school meals, school uniform and school equipment by applying for the Free School Meals/PDG Access.
Financial support for families
The links below will take you to other pages within the website where you can find information on:
Early Years and Childcare Service
Childcare Offer for Wales
Most working parents of 3 or 4 year old children could be getting government help with childcare costs.
Under the Childcare Offer for Wales, you could claim 30 hours of early education and childcare in Wales a week, for up to 48 weeks of the year. It aims to make life a bit easier for parents by offering help with childcare costs.
Check the Welsh Government Offer for information.
Find your nearest Foodbank
Merthyr Cynon Foodbank provides emergency food for three days for people in crisis.
Visit their website Merthyr Cynon Foodbank.
Citizens Advice Bureau (Wales)
The Citizens Advice Bureau is a registered charity who offer free, independent, confidential and impartial advice, and campaign on big issues affecting people’s lives.
Visit their website Citizens Advice Bureau.