Respite

HantsFish has information about local and national services for parents who have children with special needs.  These range from helplines that are manned by people who understand the stresses of caring for a child with special needs to organisations who can

• offer advice in all aspects of bringing up children
• provide help at home
• provide respite care
• give advice about benefits and
• sometimes simply be there for a cup of tea and a chat.

If you are struggling to cope, take a look at the services near to you in our directory that may be able to help. Information and advice is also available from organisation websites listed in the right-hand column.

Families need support for many  other reasons including post-natal illness, disability, bereavement, the illness of a parent or child, or social isolation. Parents can often support other parents, and you will see many services here that are run voluntarily by families as well as those who have a duty of care.  The Pinpoint Directory is listed along with many other sources of help, so don't be alone 'go HantsFish'.