01772 356027 info@lancashirewildflowers.com
Family Support
At Lancashire Wildflowers, our support goes beyond childcare and learning. We are committed to supporting families in a holistic way, recognising that children and young people thrive best when the wider family feels supported too. As part of our community-focused approach, we aim to offer a welcoming, understanding space where families can access guidance, encouragement, and signposting to helpful services, including food banks, mental health support, Barnardos, Lancashire Women, ADHD North West, Compass Bloom and other local support networks. We are here to walk alongside families with compassion, connection, and practical support whenever it is needed.
Supporting the Whole Family
We understand that families can face many different challenges, and sometimes what is needed most is simply someone who listens, understands, and helps point you in the right direction. At Lancashire Wildflowers, we aim to be part of that support.
We do not just see the child in front of us — we recognise the importance of the whole family’s wellbeing. Whether you need guidance, emotional support, information about local services, or help finding the right next step, we will always do our best to help in a kind, respectful, and non-judgemental way.
A Community, Not Just a Service
Lancashire Wildflowers is built on community. We want families to feel that they belong here — not just as service users, but as valued members of a supportive and caring network.
We know that parenting, home education, and family life can sometimes feel overwhelming or isolating. Our aim is to create a space where families feel welcomed, understood, and supported, and where they know they do not have to face things alone.
How We May Be Able to Help
Support may include:
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A listening ear and emotional support
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Gentle guidance and signposting
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Help accessing local food banks and practical support
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Signposting to mental health services or referrals
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Information about organisations such as Lancashire Women, ADHD North West, and other specialist services
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Support for families navigating additional needs or challenges
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Help connecting with wider community resources
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A safe, understanding environment where families feel heard
Our Approach
We believe every family deserves compassion, dignity, and support. Life is not always straightforward, and asking for help can feel difficult. That is why our approach is always centred around kindness, understanding, and meeting families where they are.
We aim to offer support in a way that feels personal, human, and genuinely helpful — never judgemental. Sometimes that might mean practical help, sometimes emotional reassurance, and sometimes simply helping families realise they are not alone.
We Are Here to Walk Alongside You
At Lancashire Wildflowers, we are passionate about creating a place where children, young people, and families can all feel supported to grow and thrive. Whatever challenges a family may be facing, we want them to know there is a community here that cares.
You do not have to have all the answers before reaching out. Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation — and we are here when you need it.
Family Support & Useful Resources
At Lancashire Wildflowers, we believe that supporting children means supporting the whole family.
We understand that navigating additional needs, emotional wellbeing, education, relationships and family life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Finding the right support shouldn't have to be another challenge.
We've brought together trusted local organisations, charities, specialist services and national support networks to help families across Preston, South Ribble, Chorley and the wider Lancashire area.
Whether you're looking for advice, practical help, emotional support or simply someone who understands what you're going through, we hope this directory helps you find the support you need.
1. Our Trusted Partners & Specialist Support Network
We're proud to work alongside independent professionals and organisations who share our commitment to compassionate, trauma-informed, neuro-affirming support for children, young people and families.
Founded by Leanne Chance, Whole Thread Therapy provides creative, neuro-affirming psychotherapy and emotional wellbeing support for children, young people and families. Support includes anxiety, emotional regulation, trauma and challenges associated with neurodivergence.
Dr Elizabeth Bray – Clinical Psychologist
Dr Elizabeth Bray provides specialist psychological knowledge, therapeutic parenting support, professional consultation and training, including approaches that help adults understand and respond to children's emotional and relational needs.
Provides specialist SEND education guidance, advocacy and personalised support for children, young people and families, including help navigating EHCPs, school difficulties and educational needs.
2. Autism, ADHD, PDA & Neurodivergent Support
A Lancashire parent-led support group offering peer support, meetings, information and practical guidance for families of children and young people with a PDA profile.
Provides information, training and family support for children, young people and adults with ADHD, helping families understand their needs and access appropriate support.
Neu Way Support – Spring North
Offers free support, information and workshops for families of children and young people aged 0–25 with neurodevelopmental needs, including those without a formal diagnosis.
Supports children, young people and families through emotional wellbeing services, neurodevelopmental guidance, family support and therapeutic interventions.
Provides information and practical guidance for autistic people and their families, covering education, sensory needs, communication and everyday life.
Offers specialist information and practical resources to help parents and professionals understand and support children and young people with a PDA profile.
ADHD Foundation – The Neurodiversity Charity
Supports families and professionals through resources, training and awareness programmes relating to ADHD and other neurodevelopmental differences.
Provides ADHD information, online resources and support for adults and families navigating assessment, diagnosis and everyday challenges.
Contact – For Families with Disabled Children
Offers advice, guidance and emotional support for parents and carers of children with disabilities or additional needs, including help with education and finances.
Provides disability advice, practical information and guidance about rights and available support for disabled people and their families.
3. Parent Support Groups & Family Wellbeing
A welcoming local community group where women can meet, enjoy activities, build friendships and reduce loneliness and social isolation.
Provides emotional support, listening services, counselling, wellbeing activities and social groups for women across Chorley, South Ribble and surrounding areas.
Connects parents and carers of children with SEND, providing opportunities to share experiences, access information and influence local services.
Offers parent-focused programmes, workshops and peer support for families navigating children's emotional wellbeing and additional needs.
Provides confidential parenting advice, emotional support and practical resources for parents dealing with family pressures, relationships and parenting challenges.
A network of local charities providing practical and emotional support to families with young children who are experiencing difficult circumstances.
Supports children, parents and carers experiencing family difficulties, disadvantage and complex challenges through specialist and community services.
Lancashire SEND Parent Support Groups
A Lancashire County Council resource helping families find local support groups, activities and services for children and young people with SEND.
4. SEND, Education, EHCPs & Children's Rights
Provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support for families navigating SEND, EHCPs, school support and education-related concerns.
A directory of education, health and community services available to children and young people aged 0–25 with SEND across Lancashire.
Offers free legally based advice and information about SEND law, EHCPs, education provision, school placements and appeals.
SENpoint CIC – SEN Advocacy & Family Support
A Preston-based Community Interest Company supporting children and young people with special educational needs, their families, schools and local organisations. SENpoint provides practical guidance and advocacy to help families navigate the SEND system, including support with education, referrals, benefit applications and understanding available services. They also organise friendly parent and carer support groups, offering opportunities to connect, share experiences and receive advice.
Provides information and resources to help parents understand SEND legislation, education rights and issues affecting children with additional needs.
Provides free legal information to parents and carers about education law and family law, including school-related difficulties.
Equality Advisory and Support Service
Offers advice about discrimination and human rights, including disability discrimination affecting children and families.
5. Children's Mental Health, Anxiety & Emotional Wellbeing
Compass Bloom – Central & West Lancashire
Provides free early-intervention mental health support for children and young people attending participating schools, including help with anxiety, low mood, sleep, emotional wellbeing and transitions.
Provides mental health information and resources for children and young people, alongside advice for parents concerned about their child's emotional wellbeing.
Healthy Young Minds – Lancashire & South Cumbria
Helps families understand children's mental health needs and find appropriate local emotional wellbeing and mental health support.
An online mental wellbeing platform offering information, activities and confidential support for eligible children and young people.
Offers free, confidential support for children and young people experiencing worries about mental health, bullying, relationships, family difficulties or abuse.
Provides child safeguarding advice, emotional wellbeing information and guidance for parents concerned about a child's welfare or safety.
6. Parental Mental Health & Emotional Support
Provides mental health information, wellbeing programmes and community support for people experiencing emotional difficulties across Lancashire.
A Leyland-based, parent-led charity offering free, confidential support to parents and carers of children, young people and adults with mental health difficulties or neurodivergent needs, including autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, self-harm and eating disorders. Offers face-to-face support groups, peer support, practical guidance and a private online community, with professional support from CAMHS.
Supports women with mental health, wellbeing, financial difficulties, employment advice and other challenges affecting their lives.
NHS Lancashire Talking Therapies
Provides NHS talking therapy services for eligible people experiencing anxiety, depression and other common mental health difficulties.
Offers mental health information, resources and advice for people struggling with their emotional wellbeing and those supporting them.
Provides free, confidential emotional support, 24 hours a day, for anyone feeling overwhelmed, distressed or unable to cope.
A free, confidential 24-hour text service supporting people experiencing emotional distress or mental health difficulties.
Offers information, practical guidance and support for people affected by mental illness, including family members and carers.
7. Domestic Abuse, Violence & Family Safety
Domestic Abuse Support Services Lancashire
Provides information about specialist services for adults and children affected by domestic abuse across Lancashire, including safety planning and accommodation support.
Supports people affected by domestic abuse through safe accommodation, practical guidance, outreach and specialist services.
A Lancashire charity providing domestic abuse support, refuge, recovery programmes and emotional support for adults and young people affected by abuse.
Provides domestic abuse services and emotional and practical support for adults, children and young people across the Fylde Coast.
Offers specialist counselling and emotional support to women affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence or difficult relationships, including historic experiences.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Provides free, confidential support for women experiencing domestic abuse, including advice about safety and accessing refuge accommodation.
Offers confidential advice and support to men experiencing domestic abuse, including coercive or controlling relationships.
Provides specialist support for LGBT+ people affected by domestic abuse, hate crime and sexual violence.
Supports people experiencing or at risk of honour-based abuse and forced marriage.
8. Children Affected by Abuse, Violence or Crime
Provides free, confidential emotional and practical support for children and young people aged 5–18 who have experienced or witnessed crime, violence or domestic abuse.
The Wish Centre – Young People's Support
Supports young people affected by domestic abuse, helping them understand healthy relationships, recognise harmful behaviours and recover from difficult experiences.
Provides independent emotional and practical support for victims and witnesses of crime, including children, young people and their families.
Offers information and advice for adults concerned about child abuse, neglect, exploitation or other safeguarding issues.
A confidential service for children and young people who need someone to talk to about abuse, violence, bullying or any other concern.
9. Homelessness, Housing & Family Crisis
Key Unlocking Futures – Leyland
Supports young people and families facing homelessness, housing instability, family conflict and other difficult life circumstances.
Provides practical help, community services and housing-related support for people experiencing homelessness or vulnerability in Preston.
Preston City Council – Housing
Offers housing advice and homelessness assistance for Preston residents who are homeless or at risk of losing their accommodation.
South Ribble Borough Council – Housing
Provides homelessness prevention advice and support for residents struggling with housing or accommodation.
Offers free specialist housing advice to people facing eviction, homelessness, tenancy problems or unsuitable living conditions.
Supports people who have experienced homelessness through accommodation, meaningful work and opportunities to rebuild independence.
Provides independent advice about housing rights, rent arrears, eviction, repairs and landlord disputes.
10. Food Banks, Emergency Food & Household Essentials
Supports eligible local families and individuals experiencing food poverty by providing emergency food parcels and practical help.
South Ribble Food Banks & Community Shops
A local directory of food banks, affordable community shops and emergency food support across South Ribble.
Helps families locate food banks and understand how to access emergency food support.
A community resource providing information about charities, services and local assistance available to Preston residents.
Offers community support that may include food, clothing, practical assistance and help during periods of financial hardship.
Supports vulnerable families experiencing poverty, disadvantage and difficult circumstances through practical assistance and family services.
11. Family Hubs & Local Family Services
Lancashire Family Hubs Network
Provides access to parenting advice, family activities, emotional wellbeing support, SEND information and community services for families with children.
Lancashire County Council – Children & Families
Provides information about early help, childcare, safeguarding, family support and services available to children and families across Lancashire.
Supports children, young people and families through family-focused programmes, emotional wellbeing support and specialist services.
Delivers carers' support, wellbeing services and community programmes across parts of Lancashire and the North West.
12. Financial Hardship, Benefits & Debt
Provides free, independent advice about benefits, debt, finances, housing, employment and other everyday problems.
Provides grants and financial assistance to eligible low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children.
Helps families find benefits, charitable grants and other financial support they may be entitled to.
Offers free, confidential debt advice and practical support for individuals and families experiencing financial difficulties.
Provides free guidance on budgeting, financial decisions, debt, savings and benefits.
Disability Living Allowance for Children
Government guidance about financial support for eligible families whose children need additional care or supervision because of disability or health conditions.
Explains financial support available to eligible unpaid carers looking after somebody with substantial care needs.
13. Bereavement, Grief & Family Loss
Provides information, emotional support and guidance for adults experiencing grief following the death of someone important.
A specialist childhood bereavement charity supporting children, teenagers and families following the death of somebody close.
Provides specialist support for grieving children and young people, and for families dealing with the death of a child.
Provides therapeutic and emotional support to eligible children and adults affected by cancer, bereavement and loss in North Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Offers peer support and resources for people who have experienced the death of someone through suicide.
14. Young Carers, Parent Carers & Siblings
Provides advice, guidance and wellbeing support for unpaid carers through services operating in Lancashire and surrounding areas.
Offers practical information about carers' rights, financial assistance, wellbeing and the challenges of unpaid caring.
Supports adult carers and young carers through information, advice and access to local carers' services.
Supports brothers and sisters of children and adults with disabilities or long-term conditions, including advice for parents about sibling wellbeing.
Provides support, information and activities for unpaid carers, young carers and young adult carers in East Lancashire.
15. Sleep, Sensory Needs & Everyday Challenges
Provides information, resources and guidance for families experiencing sleep difficulties, including children with additional needs.
Offers sleep advice, practical strategies and resources designed specifically for teenagers.
A West Lancashire centre offering inclusive sensory facilities and wellbeing experiences for children, adults and families with additional needs.
ERIC – The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity
Provides specialist advice and information for families managing childhood toileting difficulties, constipation, bedwetting and continence concerns.
Provides information and guidance for families affected by dyspraxia, including challenges with coordination and everyday skills.
Offers private occupational therapy services and resources addressing sensory processing, coordination, self-care and everyday living skills.
16. Family Relationships, Separation & Parenting Challenges
Offers parenting advice and emotional support for families navigating conflict, difficult relationships, communication challenges and separation.
Provides relationship support, information and counselling options for couples, families, adults and young people.
Provides information about family court proceedings and children's welfare when parents are involved in disputes about arrangements for their children.
Supports single-parent families with guidance about parenting, finances, employment, benefits and family relationships.
Child Action Northwest – Family Time
Offers specialist family services, including support relating to family relationships and arrangements for children when families are experiencing separation.
17. Bullying, Online Safety & Healthy Relationships
Provides advice, resources and practical strategies for children and families experiencing bullying.
Offers guidance for parents about social media, gaming, screen time, online relationships and digital safety.
Provides online safety education, practical advice and resources for children, parents and professionals.
Offers information for young people about relationships, consent, personal wellbeing and sexual health.
Provides guidance and reporting routes for concerns about online sexual abuse, grooming and exploitation involving children.
18. Disability & Specialist Support
Provides community-focused support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, promoting inclusion and wellbeing.
Offers information, advice and support for people with Down's syndrome and their families.
National Deaf Children's Society
Supports families of deaf children with advice about education, communication, equipment and children's rights.
Provides information and resources for families of children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.
Provides guidance, information and resources about dyslexia for children, adults, parents and education professionals.
Supports young wheelchair users through mobility equipment, activities and opportunities to develop confidence and independence.
Urgent Help & Important Telephone Numbers
If you or somebody you know needs immediate help, the following services may be able to provide support.
ServiceTelephone / Contact
Emergency services 999
NHS non-emergency medical advice111
NHS Mental Health Crisis Support 111 – select the mental health option
Samaritans116 123
Childline 0800 1111
NSPCC 0808 800 5000
National Domestic Abuse Helpline0808 2000 247
Lancashire Domestic Abuse Support0300 3033 581
ShoutText SHOUT to 85258
Nest Lancashire 0300 111 0323
If somebody is in immediate danger, call 999.
A Note About These Resources
Lancashire Wildflowers has put together this directory to help families find useful information, advice and support.
Some of the organisations listed are independent professionals or services we work alongside, while others are local charities, community groups or national organisations.
Services may have different referral pathways, eligibility requirements, waiting lists or charges. We recommend contacting organisations directly for their latest information.
Links are provided for information and do not imply that Lancashire Wildflowers endorses or oversees every service listed.
At Lancashire Wildflowers, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, understood, accepted and supported — and that families deserve that same understanding and care.