Westminster
childrenfirst Your magazine to find out more about children’s and young people’s services
Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
at A gre to place p! u grow
What’s on Activities & events this half term
FREE sport & leisure ActiveWestminster Weekend 18th - 19th November
Story time Why reading with your children matters FREE b for Ch ooks i First r ldren eaders
Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
1
Dear Parent or Carer, Welcome to this edition of Children First. As always, the magazine is filled with stories and information on issues that matter to you, and you can find more at westminster. gov.uk/childrenfirst Newspapers over the summer were plastered with the distressing images of the London riots. This mindless violence caused destruction on our streets and was treated with the expected level of dismay amongst Westminster communities. I am incredibly proud of the vast majority of our young people that stayed away from the riots and have been the first to criticise the minority that caused chaos on our streets. Omar Archer, Westminster’s new youth MP, excellently summarises the feelings of the majority of young people, who rightly have been outraged that the actions of a few are being used to stigmatise the many. Westminster’s young people have a lot to celebrate and be proud of. This year saw our GCSE results improve yet again, with 63% achieving 5 or more A* – C grades. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those young people across Westminster who received results this summer; the consistent improvement we have seen year on year is testament to the hard work of pupils, teachers and parents across the city.
Contents 4
Leave an Olympic legacy
5
World AIDS Day
6
Civic Community Awards
7
Fit for Work
8
What’s on this autumn Victim support for young
10 people 11
Families & Schools Together
12 Walk to School Month 13 My voice in libraries 14 Reading at home 15 Fostering in Westminster
We hope you enjoy this edition of Children First. If you know anyone else who might like to receive it, ask them to send their name and address to childrenfirst@ westminster.gov.uk and we’ll sign them up.
awards
2
Councillor Nickie Aiken Cabinet Member for Children’s Services
Melanie Smith Omar Archer Director of Youth MP Public Health for Inner North West London.
WestminsterChildren ChildrenFirst, First,Issue Issue12, 13,Spring/Summer Autumn/Winter 2011 Westminster
NEWS
NEW Bessborough Centre
now open in Pimlico
Over the summer, we’ve been moving back into the newly refurbished Bessborough Centre in Pimlico, which now houses the Bessborough Community Nursery, the NHS Bessborough Clinic and Children’s Services for South Westminster. The £3.5m project provides a nursery with 50 childcare places, three new play areas and a new garden, as well as a sensory room and the fully refurbished NHS children’s and family health clinic. In addition, Westminster’s South Child Protection Team and South Locality Children’s Services team, who offer social work, school attendance and parenting support, are now based there, meaning there’s just one hub for children’s and family services in the area. To find out more, visit www.westminster.gov.uk/betterbessborough
WIN Cinekids tickets Curzon Cinekids shows films for children every Saturday at the Curzon Millbank and every other Sunday at Renoir Cinema. Tickets are £3 each and accompanying adults get in free! We’ve got three pairs of tickets (one child and one adult each) to give away FREE. To be in with a chance to win, email childrenfirst@ westminster.gov.uk with ‘Cinekids’ as your subject and include your name and postal address. Winners will be picked at random on 15th December 2011. Visit curzoncinemas.com/ events/9zngj/curzoncinekids to find out more.
New places to pay for council services – Your One Stop One Stop Services in Westminster are changing. In the past, face-to-face council services including payments, advice and enquiries have been available at Harrow Road, Church Street and City Hall Victoria Street. City Hall One Stop has now closed, and over the next few months, Harrow Road and Church Street One Stops will also close. The easiest way to do business with the council is to go online at westminster.gov.uk/youronestoponline Alternatively, you can visit Your One Stop Express self-serve machines in 12 convenient locations across the city for FREE access to council services online, including card payments. You can also visit your nearest Westminster Post Office Branch to make card, cash or cheque payments for council services. Find out more at westminster.gov.uk/youronestop Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
3
Leave an Olympic legacy The Olympics are on their way to the UK, which will probably happen only once in your lifetime! You can make the most of it by taking part in some of Westminster’s legacy projects. OF A C SP ITY OR T
How you can get involved • Experience the buzz of competing in a sporting event by taking part in the annual games inspired school sports competition. Events include swimming galas and the Mini Olympics. Pupils should speak to their PE teacher to find out if and how they can take part. • Visit our new Olympic-inspired facilities, including the UK’s largest parkour park and one of London’s only urban beach volleyball courts at Academy Sport, which uses the high quality sand from the recent Olympic test event at Horse Guard’s Parade. • Young Olympic hopefuls can receive financial support and training through the council’s Champions of the Future scheme. It is for young people aged 11 – 18 years who are competing at district, regional or national level in their chosen sport. • All young people aged eight to 19 can take part in FREE sporting activities from football and boxing to street dance and parkour, through the Neighbourhood Sports programme.
4
D TO SPORT AN YOUR GUIDE WESTMINSTER LEISURE IN h 2012 October 2011
– Marc
You can find out more about all the activities available by picking up the latest ActiveWestminster Guide at your local leisure centre. You can also view it online at westminster. gov.uk/active
Get active with a weekend of FREE sport and leisure Head to your local leisure centre on the 19th and 20th of November for a weekend of FREE activities. There will be a wide variety of taster sessions available, from street dance to martial arts. To find out what’s on and where, contact your local leisure centre, visit www.westminster.gov.uk/ activeweekend or call 020 7641 2012 to find out more.
Westminster Children First, Issue Autum/Winter 2011 Westminster Children First, Issue 13,13, Autumn/Winter
World AIDS Day: 1st December 2011 World AIDS day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. What is HIV? HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system - the body’s defence against diseases.
Are HIV and AIDS the same? No. When someone is described as living with HIV, they have the HIV virus in their body. A person develops AIDS when the immune system is so weak it can no longer fight off a range of diseases which it would normally cope with.
How is HIV passed on?
Did you know? • For someone diagnosed at 35, life expectancy is over 72. • The most common treatment today is one pill, once or twice a day. • Lots of people with HIV work and it does not affect their working life. • With the right medical help, approximately 99% of HIV positive women can give birth to healthy uninfected babies.
HIV can be passed on through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk. The most common ways HIV is passed on are: • sex without a condom with someone living with HIV • sharing infected needles or other injecting drug equipment • from an HIV-positive mother (to her child) during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding (but with effective treatment and care the risk of transmission can be greatly reduced).
Is there a cure for HIV? No, but treatment can keep the virus under control and the immune system healthy. People on HIV treatment can live a healthy, active life, although they may experience side effects from the treatment.
How can I protect myself and others from HIV infection? Always use a condom when having sex. Free condoms are available from sexual health clinics, which you can locate at fpa.org.uk/findaclinic Never share needles or any other injecting equipment. For more information and to support World AIDS Day, go to worldaidsday.org
Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
5
Nominate someone you know to win £500 Civic Community Awards 2011-12 Do you know a person or group in your community who has made an Outstanding Contribution: working with young people? This could be an inspirational youth worker; a sports or activities club that keeps young people busy or off the streets; an outstanding teacher who goes the extra mile or someone who acts as a mentor to young people in the local area. Last year Abdul Quyium won an award for helping to improve the health of young people by creating food diaries and developing coaching plans at London Tigers football club. Perhaps you know someone who deserves the Young Person of the Year award? We are looking for the young person (11-19) who’s done most to improve the lives of other people in Westminster. This could be through fundraising, spending time with
You can find more details about the awards at westminster.gov.uk/ civiccommunityawards
6
older people, inspiring friends or classmates to be more active in the community or even showing some entrepreneurial flair! Last year, 17 year old Jonah Moffat received an award for setting up a cheerleading academy that teaches cheerleading and gymnastics to other young people. If you would like to nominate someone for either of these awards, visit westminster. gov.uk/civiccommunityawards or pick up a nomination form from your local Estate Office, library or leisure centre. The Civic Community Awards are part of the council’s commitment to recognise and reward the fantastic work that individuals and groups in Westminster do for the community.
ds r a aw Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
FIT FOR WORK If you find yourself signed off from work for an extended period, or are dealing with health issues that are stopping you from getting back to work, the NHS provides access to a range of services tailored to help with your return. It is often easier to go back to work if you can access support and/or treatment as early as possible, so after an initial assessment where you will be appointed your own case manager, you could receive a prompt referral for any of the following services: • physiotherapy • counselling • clinical exercise • acupuncture • debt and benefits entitlements (or other money worries) • employment and training. Your case manager will support you throughout your return to work, and can speak to your employer and your GP on your behalf. The service is free, and entirely optional for clients to use. To access the service you must live or work in Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham or Westminster. To find out more contact 020 8962 7690, email ffwskc@nhs.net or visit kc-pct.nhs.uk/ fitforwork.
Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
SUPPORT FOR PARENTS – KEEP IN THE LOOP As a parent or guardian, you may be entitled to a range of financial support, from maternity allowance or grants to child tax credit and Healthy Start food vouchers. And whilst you may already be aware of these, we recommend you keep up-to-date with how these benefits may change or affect you in the future. For example, changes to benefits in 2011 include: • social fund budgeting loans being made available to help families on a low income to buy maternity items • payments of Sure Start maternity grants being restricted to the first child only (or children where the first is a multiple birth) • lone parents whose youngest child is aged 5 or above being eligible for jobseekers allowance rather than income support. More information about benefit changes can be found at disabilityalliance.org/ forthcoming.htm, and you can also find a useful summary of parental benefits, support and entitlement at adviceguide.org.uk/ index/life/benefits/benefits_for_families_ and_children.htm If you are worried about the status of any of your benefits, or would like to find out what you are eligible for, visit westminster.gov.uk/ benefits, call 0845 070 0287 or call the Citizens Advice Bureau on 0844 477 1611.
7
Autumn activities for children and young people
What’s on in the
school holidays? Find out what’s on this autumn half-term with our guide to activities for all ages across the city. For the latest updates visit westminster. gov.uk/inthecity or call the Family Information Service on 020 7641 1719.
Sport and leisure Horseriding and stable management
24th – 28th October, morning and afternoon sessions and 11th & 25th November evening sessions Age: 4 years upwards Horseriding and stable management sessions for families, priority given to residents in the Tachbrook ward; two generations must participate e.g. parent and child. Venue: Vauxhall City Farm, 165 Tyers Street, London SE11 5HS Contact: 020 7582 4204, linda. hinds@btconnect.com, vauxhallcityfarm.org – booking from 17th October 8
Cost: Free Nearest Tube: Vauxhall Disabled access
Edutain sports 24-28 October, 10am-3pm Age: 8-13 A sports and arts activity programme. Venue: Academy Sport, Westminster Academy, 255 Harrow Road, W2 5EZ and Pimlico Academy, Lupus Street (Sports Centre entrance via Chichester Street), SW1V 3AT Contact: 020 7641 2012 Cost: Free Nearest Tube: Royal Oak (Academy Sport)/Pimlico (Pimlico Academy) Disabled access
Libraries Scary faces 26 October, 2-3.30pm (Pimlico) 27 October, 2-3.30pm (Marylebone) Age: 5+ Want to look like a witch, a vampire, or a skeleton? Join our Halloween face painting for fearless over 5s. Venue: Pimlico Children’s Library, Lupus Street, SW1V 3AT/Marylebone Library, Council House, Marylebone Road, NW1 5PS Contact: 020 7641 1300 Cost: Free Nearest Tube: Pimlico/ Marylebone Disabled access (Pimlico only)
Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
Scary storytime
Youth
28 October, 3-4pm Age: 3+ Spooky stories and crafts. Venue: Marylebone Library, Council House, Marylebone Road, NW1 5PS Contact: 020 7641 1300 Cost: Free Nearest Tube: Marylebone
Pop! Bang! Whistle!
Autumn at St. Andrew’s Club
26 October, 4.15pm Age: 4-12 Come and make a colourful fireworks frieze and listen to stories. Venue: St. John’s Wood Library, 20 Circus Road, NW8 6PD Contact: westminster.gov.uk/ libraries or call 020 7641 1300 Cost: Free Nearest Tube: St. John’s Wood Disabled access
Monday to Friday, 6-10pm Age: 9 -19 Boxercise, graffiti art and hair and beauty are just some of the skills you can learn this half term. Plus record your own sounds in the music suite or visit the gym and cardio area for fitness training. Venue: St Andrew’s Club, Alec Wizard House, 12 Old Pye Street, SW1P 2DG Contact: 020 7222 6481 Cost: £3 annual membership and 50p per night Nearest Tube: St. James’s Park
Venue: St Matthew’s School, Old Pye Street, SW1P 2DG (entrance on St Anne’s Lane) Contact: 020 7222 6481 Cost: £3 annual membership and £1 per night (includes refreshments) Nearest Tube: St. James’s Park
Play Drop-in at Meanwhile Gardens Playhut
Daily except Wednesdays, 2-5pm Age: Parents and carers of children under six Large outdoor area, a selection of toys and daily arts and crafts activities. Venue: Elkstone Rd, W10 5NT Contact: 020 8960 7894 Cost: Free Nearest Tube: Westbourne Park
Autumn Monday to Wednesday, 6-8pm Age: 5-9 Arts and crafts, outdoor activities and simple cookery skills.
WIN a once in a lifetime trip to the 2012 Olympic Games The London Education and Arts Programme (LEAP) camp is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young people to experience the Olympic Games. There’s also the chance to win Olympic and Paralympic tickets.
Olympic summer camp Up to 30 young people aged 12-16 (school years 8-12) will have the opportunity to attend a five-day camp including the chance to meet Olympic athletes. Just send in artwork on the theme of Olympic values.
WIN Olympic tickets Children aged 10-11 can win Olympic and Paralympic tickets. There are 20 pairs to giveaway to London school children who send in artwork based on the Olympic values they have learnt at school. Entries should be accompanied by an entry form by the deadline of 26th October. Visit leapcompetition.org or email admin@leapcompetition.org for more information. Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
9
Need support and advice? 13 – 18 year olds can now get direct support if they have experienced crime, bullying or domestic abuse The service is run by Victim Support and atoffers Youth direct Hubs across the borough. emotional support and practical help to victims of crime aged 13 – 18 years and indirect support to victims under the age of 13 via parents or carers. You can get support: • at Victim Support offices in Aylesford Street, Pimlico • through home visits • at Woodfield Road Medical Centre (Wednesday mornings). The service is confidential and one-to-one, and is used to help young people talk about and deal with their issues if they have been a victim of crime. It’s an opportunity to talk about the incident, look into ways to rebuild confidence or discuss other support.
...Victim Su workshops pport also runs on healthy re personal safety, awarenes lationships, victim s and schools an anti-bullying for d youth gr oups?
Practical help such as advocacy, information and even specific crime reduction products like personal alarms is also available. How you can access the service When you report a crime to the police, you will be asked if you would like to be referred to Victim Support. If you say yes, the Young Victims Service will get in touch. Alternatively, you can refer yourself or your child to the service by calling 0207 828 4142 or emailing yvs.westminster@ vslondon.org Youth Workers, Teachers, Safer Schools Officers and Social Workers can also refer you.
? Are you ok gth le find the stren g peop
Helping youn
ss of crime? a victim or witne Have you been ort in that Victim Supp g Did you know a dedicated Youn Westminster has Victims project? ct us advice conta For support or 020 7828 4142 g in confidence: r@vslondon.or yvs.westminste
Daniel, the victim of an assault, says: “When I was fifteen I was assaulted. Afterwards, I wouldn’t go out on my own - I was scared of seeing the offender again.... I was depressed and found it harder to make new friends.
ok.org.uk www.are-yourt.org.uk
www.victimsuppo Registered charity Registered address:
number 298028
Victim Support,
Hallam House,
56-60 Hallam
Street, London
W1W 6JL
“Victim Support helped me to move on with my life. As well as supporting me they helped me get involved in a pilot scheme to get teenagers off the streets and reduce bullying in schools. By being involved, I’ve been able to get something positive out of a really negative experience. “If you’ve been a victim of crime, I would recommend contacting Victim Support - they helped me.”
10
Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
s l o o h c S d n Families a ) T S A F ( r e Togeth
ith Save the w g in rk o w is The council nts in their re a p e lv o v in Children to d build closer n a n o ti a c u d children’s e milies and fa n e e tw e b s relationship stminster schools in We Recently, a number of parents of children attending Edward Wilson Primary School took part in FAST, an 8-week programme that: • helps build relationships between families and schools • helps build relationships between parents • increases parents’ involvement in their children’s learning. Parents worked with FAST team members including staff from Edward Wilson Primary School and Westbourne Children’s Centre, Children’s Services professionals from the council, experts from Save the Children, and parent volunteers. All parents taking part in the scheme found it helpful and inspiring. Congratulations to everyone involved, and especially to the families who have now successfully graduated! A FAST Trainer, who reported a conversation with a parent involved in the Edward Wilson FAST programme, said: “One parent had attended all eight FAST sessions and talked about how she had always been in contact with the school to talk about her child, but had not engaged with the Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter2011
Amira Ess ia, Grkh Kareem Saghir an ed Saghir, d Retaj S with Ange aghir, la Drizi, grad FAST at Edward W uating from ilson sch ool.
school for any other reason. She felt that through involvement with FAST, she was now happy coming in to the school to get involved in other things and really felt more a part of the school community as she had met other parents, staff and others who worked with the school.” Save the Children will be working in partnership with the council to bring the FAST programme to a number of Westminster schools over the next three years. If you are a parent and would like to be involved in helping to run a FAST programme, please contact Chloe Grant, Save the Children Programme Officer (Westminster) on c.grant@savethechildren.org.uk, 020 3215 3222 or 07983 212 413. If you are employed within a school, in a Westminster City Council role or a community organisation role that involves working supportively with families, please also contact Chloe Grant to discuss whether you could contribute to a FAST programme in Westminster. FAST was developed in 1988 by Dr. Lynn McDonald, Professor of Social Work, Middlesex University, London
11
Get on your feet This October is International Walk to School Month. In over 40 countries, schools will be encouraging children and parents to ditch the school run and get walking. Schools across Westminster will be joining in, and we hope that many of you will take the opportunity to get a group of walkers together too.
Why is it important to walk to school? The latest figures from the department of public transport show that just 47% (that’s less than half!) of under 11’s walk to school. Getting active and doing as much physical activity as possible can help improve the physical and mental health of the nation. Getting our children to walk to school is a great start, and will also reduce transport costs, save money and help the environment. Walking to school with classmates and other children can help your kids to develop social skills, and exercising regularly helps children to concentrate better in school. Keeping active and socialising with classmates can also help children and young people to stay away from anti-social and criminal behaviour. Walking is an easy, affordable and convenient form of exercise. Not only does walking help to improve a child’s road awareness and neighborhood safety, it also has many health benefits such as helping to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints and helping to control weight, build lean muscle and reduce fat.
How can I get involved? Schools can get special badges and ‘passports’ for children taking part – ask your school whether they’ve got involved. Or get proactive and organise your own 12
walk to school scheme with other parents in the area – it’s really easy – everything you need can be found online at walktoschool.org.uk/our-shop/wowresources PLUS you could win a parent pack complete with a year’s worth of walk to school badges!
Get on your bike! Is your school a Bike It school? Bike It works directly with schools, getting thousands of children on their bikes and cycling to school every day. Bike It is all about helping children get fit and healthy by teaching them the skills they need to cycle safely and responsibly. Check whether your school is a Bike It school – and if not, ask them to look into becoming one. To find out more about Bike It, visit sustrans.org.uk/bikeit Get involved in your school’s Walk to school or Bike It scheme for a healthier, happier westminster. Westminster WestminsterChildren ChildrenFirst, First,Issue Issue12, 13,Spring/Summer Autumn/Winter 2011
Make your mark
If you’re young and creative and want to make your mark on the world then MyVoice is the project for you. It provides a wide range of creative reading, writing and digital opportunities for young people aged 11-19, through their local libraries. At the moment, we’re looking for people to help set up and manage our reading hubs for young people. There are lots of roles on offer, from organising events and performances to creating videos and other digital content for the web and social media; from campaigning and marketing the hubs to mentoring other young people.
If you’d like to get involved or find out more, visit westminster.gov.uk/myvoice, pop in to your local library or contact Nick Fuller on nfuller@westminster.gov.uk or 020 7641 4321. MyVoice is managed by The Reading Agency and supported by the Big Lottery.
As well as being great fun and a brilliant experience, we can also offer you accredited volunteering opportunities. And we want you to tell us how you want the project to look, what you want to get involved with, and what resources we should have on offer. We’ll be around to help out and offer advice, but we want young people to take the lead every step of the way.
Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
13
Once Upon a time...
Reading with your child
If you want to help your child improve their reading or develop a love of books, reading together at home is a great place to start, at any age. But if you’re not sure where to start, or need a bit of extra confidence, your library is here to help. Our staff are experts in selecting the right book for each child, whatever their age, interests or reading level and will be delighted to help you choose. We also run weekly story-times at all Westminster Libraries, so come and join in or ask staff for tips on keeping children entertained when reading aloud. Or we can give you a Your Bookstart pack as a fun source of inspiration.
FREE Ranger’s Apprentice books Thanks to publishers Random House, we’ve got copies of the first in the series of the Ranger’s Apprentice books to give away to lucky Children First readers. Ranger’s Apprentice is a series of fantasy novels for children, following the adventures of Will, an orphan who is taken as an apprentice Ranger, as he strives to keep the Kingdom of Araluen safe from invaders, traitors, and threats. To get your free book, simply go to your nearest Westminster Library and claim it! (Books will be given out on a first come, first served basis.)
National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) If you have a child in Reception (ages four and five) or Year Six (ages 10 and 11), they will be weighed and measured at school as part of the National Child Measurement Programme. The information is used by the NHS to plan and provide better health services for children. You will receive a letter before your child is measured, and then on the day, trained staff will weigh and measure your child in their clothes at school. Your child’s results will then be sent to you within six weeks. For helpful tips and hints to keep your child healthy, visit nhs.uk/change4life Visit nhs.uk/Livewell/childhealth1-5/Pages/ChildMeasurement.aspx to find out more about the National Child Measurement Programme.
14
Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
Fostering
Change a Child’s Life Westminster urgently needs more foster carers. Each year, hundreds of children need to be placed in a loving home, with people who will care about them and help them through life.
“It is a challenge, but you get so much out of it.”
Rosaline* has been a foster carer with Westminster for 14 years. She first became interested in fostering when her eldest child left home. “I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be nice to have another child in the house?’I wanted to share a bit of my family and my love for my children.”
Since then, she’s fostered dozens of children, many of whom had led a difficult life beforehand. ‘In most cases there are rough patches to begin with. But eventually the messages get through and they start to turn their lives around. I had one girl - she’d really had a tough start in life. Now she’s 21 and in full-time education. I recently went to visit her on an exchange programme in America. You still have contact with the children you foster - it’s like I’m a constant mum! Asked about the impact on her own life, Rosaline says, ‘There’s so much to think about and so much to do. It is a challenge, but you get so much out of it. Even though I was already a mum, there was lots of stuff I didn’t know about children - each one is different. It’s so rewarding.’ Westminster’s Fostering Team is dedicated to making sure that each of their foster carers is given as much support as possible. Rosaline has developed a fantastic relationship with the team: ‘They’ve become part of my family and I’ve become part of theirs. It’s hard to think of going anywhere else to foster. They’re really fair and I get on well with everybody.’
If you care about children and want to make a difference to a child’s life, contact the Fostering Team on 0800 0322 533 or fostering@ westminster. gov.uk
Change a child’s life. Register for our fostering information evening on 6th October. Call 0800 0322 533 or visit www.westminster.gov.uk/fostering All foster carers receive a fee, generous allowances and ongoing support.
*Name has been changed for confidentiality reasons.
wcc_fostercare_advert_170x117mm_aw.indd 1
Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autumn/Winter 2011
08/09/2010 11:36
15
Essential council numbers for parents Westminster City Council Family Information Service Children with disabilities
www.westminster.gov.uk/fis 020 7641 7929 www.westminster.gov.uk/disabilities 020 7266 7090
Libraries www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries 020 7641 1300 www.westminster.gov.uk/admissions 020 7641 1816/1817
Special Education Needs
www.westminster.gov.uk/sen 020 7641 5348
Westminster Sports Unit
www.westminster.gov.uk/sports 020 7641 2012
Youth Service
www.westminster.gov.uk/youthservice 020 7641 1591/1592
NHS Westminster Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
0800 587 8818
Breastfeeding helpline 0844 20 909 20 (National) 0777 184 0488 (Westminster, Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm) Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
020 8746 8000
NHS Direct for general health advice and support
0845 4647
Out of hours GP or district nurse
020 8969 7777
St. Mary’s Hospital
020 3312 6666
Stop smoking support
0800 328 8537
16
Westminster Children First, Issue 13, Autum/Winter 2011
PG-16-G-0111
School Admissions