Signposting & Support: Chichester
NHS
St Richards Hospital, Chichester
Book your care with UHSussex Maternity services online via self-referral. Get information & advice on your pregnancy.
St Richards maternity services are all in the West Wing
The antenatal clinic, scanning and the Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) are on the ground floor.
The postnatal ward (Tangmere) is on the second floor.
The labour ward, birth centre, Day Assessment Unit (DAU) and Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU) are on the third floor.
St Richards Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6SE
Switchboard: 01243 788122
Maternity Triage (24/7): 01903 285269
Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU): 01243 788122 (extn. 32874)
St Richards Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)
The Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) is located on the second floor of the West Wing
St Richards Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6SE
Switchboard: 01243 788122
Email: neonatal.services@nhs.net
St Richards Children's Accident and Emergency (A&E)
A separate children’s A&E facilities staffed by specialist pediatric nurses, for children up to 18 years old.
St Richards Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6SE
Switchboard: 01243 788122
Birth Afterthoughts
We offer a support service to all women and their partners in Birth Afterthoughts - this a one-to-one session either in person or by telephone to discuss their birth experience; we read the birth notes in detail, get a time line of events, answer any questions - this can all help to understand what happened and why, which can in turn help to relieve anxieties. We can then discuss any implications for further pregnancies/labour. Another part of this service is for me to take the feedback to our staff so that lessons can be learnt/ practice improved.
Parent Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service, known as PALS, has been introduced to ensure that the NHS listens to patients, their relatives, carers and friends, and answers their questions and resolves their concerns as quickly as possible. PALS also helps the NHS to improve services by listening to what matters to patients and their loved ones and making changes, when appropriate.
Local Maternity & Neonatal System (LMNS)
Sussex Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) are here to support maternity service teams and service users across Sussex. We are working to improve safety, develop our choice and personalisation services whilst transforming our digital offering.
Peresonalsed Care & Support Plan
It is not part of your official maternity record, but a place to note down your thoughts and feelings as you progress through your pregnancy journey. Your midwife may give you a printed version of this booklet in your booking appointment, or you can download and print a copy from here. You might want to share it with your family, partner, or support person, it’s up to you. You can also bring it with you to your midwife/doctor appointments, so you can discuss any questions you might have with a medical professional.
Facebook Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=908178659675538
General Support
Health Visiting Service
Following the birth of your baby to starting school, the Health Visiting team will be there to support you, offering appointments and advice.
Family Information Service
The Family Information Service (FIS) is provided by West Sussex County Council. We offer free, impartial, up-to-date information to all families on childcare, as well as activities and services for 0-25 year olds
Phone: 01243 777807
Early Help Service
The sooner a family receives the right support, the sooner they are able to improve their situation and prevent the need for prolonged support.
Support starts with universal services, such as the school, the health service and the police. Families needing additional support will receive the next level.
A 'whole family' approach ensures that children's needs and welfare are being met and maintained as well as those of the family. This is done by working with the family, local communities and others already supporting them.
Mothers Uncovered
Award-winning charity empowering mothers since 2008. Pioneering creative support groups run by mums for mums in matrescence
Healthwatch
Healthwatch are the independent champion for those using health and social care services in West Sussex
They are here to make sure that those running local health services, and the government, put people at the heart of care.
Warm/safe places for winter
A list of warm community spaces to go to during the cost-of-living crisis
Gingerbread
Single parent support charity - Need help and support? Get advice from Gingerbread today.
Phone: 0808 802 0925
Home Start
A carefully selected volunteer, who has parenting experience, can visit regularly to offer emotional and practical support. This friendly parent-to-parent support is a simple yet effective way of enabling families to get back on track
Voluntary Action Arun & Chichester
Our vision is to see a strong, vibrant voluntary and community sector that supports, inspires and empowers individuals and communities throughout Arun and Chichester.
We do this through 1-1 support and advice, training and networking events, helping groups to start-up and develop their work.
Voluntary Action Arun & Chichester
The Town Hall
Clarence Road
Bognor Regis
PO21 1LD
Phone: 01243 840305
Doula UK (non-profit)
Doulas support the whole family to have a positive experience of pregnancy, birth and after the birth of a baby. The Doula Access Fund provides free support during pregnancy, labour and after the birth of a baby to those experiencing disadvantage and financial hardship. Each applicant is referred to us by a health care professional, social worker or charitable partner.
Telephone: 0871 433 3103
Email: admin@doula.org.uk
Infant Feeding Support
Feeding Support at UHSussex
Flying Start
Six conversations about feeding and caring for your baby to help them get off to the best possible start.
MILK!
The MILK! Group offers support for breastfeeding parents, those who are providing breast milk, mixed feeding or formula feeding. Our Infant Feeding Advisors are happy to help with any feeding question or worry and is a great opportunity to meet other breastfeeding families and practice breastfeeding out and about. MILK! Breastfeeding Support sessions are predominantly groups however one to one sessions are offered in some areas of West Sussex. MILK! Breastfeeding support is available across West Sussex- Crawley, Horsham, Mid-Sussex, Worthing, Bognor Regis, Chichester, Adur, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, Midhurst, Shoreham and East Grinstead.
Phone: 01273 242004
La Leche League
We provide mother to mother, parent to parent breastfeeding support at meet-ups across Great Britain.
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173309576076999/
https://www.lllsussex.org.uk/meetings-in-sussex.html
NB Closest meetings in Hassocks or Horsham
Food Banks & Other Food Support
Health Start
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
Apply here: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply/
Chichester Disrict Food Bank
We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK
Telephone: 01243 773687
Fare Divide - Community Fridge
Fare Divide Community Interest Company inspires healthier and happier communities by saving perishable foods from waste with our Community Fridge Network.
LGBTQIA+ Support
LGBT Forum
Giving the local LGBT community a voice
Stonewall Housing
We support thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) people in the UK every year. We provide free housing-related advice on our helpline. All of our services are free and confidential.
Helpline: 0800 6 404 404
Weekday 10am – 1pm
LGBT Foundation
LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.
Phone: 0345 3 30 30 30
Email: info@lgbt.foundation
Mind Out
A local mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people with experience of mental health issues
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
Emotional and practical support for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse.
Phone: 0800 9995428
Disability
Enabled2Parent
Enabled2Parent is a “not for profit” organisation which offers advice alongside assessments and information about equipment. Our advice is practical and personalised, which means it is more than just a forum to express ideas and experiences: It gives you the tools to help you help your child grow to the best of his or her ability.
Email: info@enabled2parent.org
The Apuldram Centre
The Apuldram Centre is a local and independent charity based near Chichester, West Sussex. Our connection with providing support to Chichester residents is long standing; we provide over 2,000 hours of support activity per week through the services that we offer (daycare, community hub and supported living) to enable 139 adults with learning disabilities to maximise their independence.
Phone: 01243 783370
Email: rory.massey@apuldram.org
Connect to Support - West Sussex County Council
Easy access to information on how to live well with a health condition or disability
Reaching Families
Empowering families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilites
Phone: 01903 366360
Mental Health Support
Time to Talk
https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/services/time-to-talk-nhs-talking-therapies-in-west-sussex/109066
Time to Talk offer a range of talking therapies that can help you feel better. Their friendly therapists can help you work through your problems and support you to live life to the fullest again.
Phone: 01273 265967
Self-referal: https://gateway.mayden.co.uk/referral-v2/6293419b-f31d-49fe-9a81-cdd0bb49118d
Families in Mind, West Sussex
Are you a parent feeling low, isolated, anxious or with depression? We can help you cope with family life. Support in Worthing, Littlehampton, Adur, Bognor
Phone: 0300 303 5652
Email: helppoint@westsussexmind.org
PANDAS
PANDAS (Pre and Post Natal Depression Awareness & Support) is a community offering peer-to-peer support for you, your family and your network.
Phone: 0808 1961 776
Text the word ‘PANDAS’ to 85258 for in-the-moment support your mental health.
NB nearest group is Brighton PANDAS
Heads On Charity
Heads On is Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s charity. We help people with mental health problems to feel supported, to stay active and to be more involved in their communities
Phone: 07469 351 456
Email: headsoncharity@spft.nhs.uk
Local Samaritans
We deliver the Samaritans' vision by making it our mission to always be there for our callers and provide the best support possible.
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Phone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Mental Health and Crisis Support
Sussex Mental Healthline
Phone: 0800 0309 500
Website: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/your-mental-health/getting-help/sussex-mental-healthline
Mind - West Sussex
Phone: 0300 303 5652
Website: https://www.westsussexmind.org/
The Samaritans
Phone: 116123
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
Mental health support by text message
You can text "SHOUT" to 85258 for free from all major UK mobile networks. You'll then be connected to a volunteer for an anonymous conversation by text message.
Mental Health Support via App
App: https://www.stayalive.app/
If your life - or someone else's life - is in immediate danger, please call 999 Immediately
Money, Finance & Debt
Citizen’s Advice Bureau
Arun & Chichester Citizens Advice is an independent charity (Registration number: 1099640) and a member of the National Association of Citizens Advice. We provide information and advice to solve your problems in regards to the following:
Debt, housing, legal, healthcare, family, energy, consumer, employment
Phone: 0808 278 7969
Benefits Checker
You can use an independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to.
Housing, Homelessness & Cost of Living
Local Housing Help
Chichester housing support – homelessness and financial assistance
Southdown – Pathways Home
Pathways Home is a Housing Support service operating in all areas of West Sussex, jointly funded through West Sussex County Council and the seven Local Authorities in West Sussex
Phone: 07827 968840
Turning Tides – Homeless charity, St Clares
Started in 1991 by a group of Christians in Worthing, Turning Tides is now the biggest provider of services for single homeless people in West Sussex
Travelling Community
Friends, Families and Travellers
We support individuals and families with the issues that matter most to them, at the same time as working to transform systems and institutions to address the root causes of inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people
Friends, Families and Travellers,
Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3XG
Phone: 01273 234777
Email: fft@gypsy-traveller.org
Chichester & West Sussex Council
The County Council own and manage nine permanent Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites in West Sussex.
Find a permanent site and apply for a plot.
Safer Sleep & SIDS
The Lullaby Trust
The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families.
The Lullaby Trust
CAN Mezzanine
7-14 Great Dover Street
London SE1 4YR
Phone: 0207 802 3200
Email: office@lullabytrust.org.uk
Bereavement Support: 0808 802 6868
support@lullabytrust.org.uk
Information Line: 0808 802 6869
info@lullabytrust.org.uk
Basis
The aim of Basis (the Baby Sleep Information Source) is to provide access to research based evidence about biologically normal infant sleep, in forms that are accessible to parents and health practitioners, supported by references to research relevant to families in the UK
Miscarriage, Loss & TFMR
The Miscarriage Association
If you’ve been affected by miscarriage, molar pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy, we hope this website will provide the information that you’re looking for. We hope that family, friends, colleagues and health professionals will find the site helpful too. We’re here to help you through.
Phone: 01924 200799
Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Provides support and information to couples who have suffered an ectopic pregnancy.
Phone: 020 7096 1838
TFMR Mamas
TFMR Mamas supports anyone that has had to make the heartbreaking decision to end a pregnancy due to a health or medical condition affecting the baby or the the mother.
TFMR Mamas offers support groups and resources to help this community feel supported and not alone.
ARC (Antenatal Choices & Results)
Antenatal Choices & results - We offer support for as long as is needed with the aim of helping people work through their loss and move on positively with their lives.
Phone: 020 7713 7486
At a Loss – Pregnancy options centre
Pregnancy Options Centre provides free, non-directive counselling and support to anyone struggling following a pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, therapeutic termination, or an abortion.
Phone: 01243 784177 & 07843543792
Bereavement & Baby Loss - Local
Oscars Wish
A local charity offering Bereavement Support, Specialist Bereavement Counselling and Support Programmes for Mums and Dads
Portsmouth and Chichester Sands
Sands stillbirth & neonatal death Charity, providing bereavement support services.
Phone: 07474 562 528
Our Sam
Sands stillbirth & neonatal Our Sam works to raise awareness, understanding and improve support, and access to support for anyone affected by baby loss following miscarriage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons and neonatal death.
Bereavement & Baby Loss - National
Sands
Sands Stillbirth & neonatal death Charity, providing bereavement support services
Phone: 0808 164 3332
Email: helpline@sands.org.uk
Winstons Wish
Childhood bereavement charity providing advice, support & resources for grieving children.
Phone: 08088 020 021
Email: ask@winstonswish.org
If you need urgent support, our Crisis Messenger is available 24/7 – text WW to 85258.
Cruse
Cruse bereavement support, grief can be overwhelming, you don’t have to deal with it alone.
Lodge Hill Centre
Watersfield
nr Pullborough
RH20 1LZ
Phone: 0300 311 9959
Email: westsussexarea@cruse.org.uk
Petals
Baby Loss Counselling Charity – providing specialist counselling after baby loss.
Tommys
We’re dedicated to finding causes and treatments to save babies’ lives. We are here for anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or termination for medical reasons.
Tommy's
Nicholas House
3 Laurence Pountney Hill
London
EC4R 0BB
Phone: 0800 0147 800
Email: midwife@tommys.org
Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, and also when a child is facing bereavement.
Phone: 0800 02 888 40
Teddy’s Wish
Teddy's Wish funds a counselling support service, which is free of charge to parents who have lost a baby to stillbirth (from 24 weeks), neonatal death or SIDS. The counselling sessions are for parents who are in the early months of their grief, up until 18 months post loss.
Email: support@teddyswish.org
Mariposa Trust
The Mariposa Trust is a leading support charity primarily working within the field of baby loss and bereavement.
Phone: 0300 323 1350
Email: info@mariposatrust.org
Neonatal & Premature Birth
Thames Valley and Wessex ODN
The Thames Valley and Wessex (TVW) neonatal ODN covers an area where there are approximately 60,000 births each year. Across TVW there are 13 acute trusts and 14 hospitals delivering neonatal care.
Thames Valley and Wessex Parent Advisory Group
We are a group of parents/carers, and their families, who have experienced neonatal care in one (or more) of the 14 neonatal units across the Thames Valley & Wessex Neonatal Network, at some point in our lives. The group meet four times a year online and aim to improve the experience of families within neonatal care services. This is part of the Neonatal Critical Care Review.
The Early Birth Association
The Early Birth Association makes a positive difference for babies, families and staff in Neonatal Care at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, and the Special Care Baby Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
Phone: 01273 696955 x4377
Ronald McDonald House
Having a child in hospital is unimaginable for families. At Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, we ease some of the burden by providing free ‘home away from home’ accommodation.
Ronald McDonald House Charities UK Headquarters
11-59 High Road
East Finchley
London
N2 8AW
Phone: 0300 011 1113
The Twins Trust
We're here for you...
Supporting you through every milestone of your journey with twins, triplets or more.
Manor House
Church Hill
Aldershot
Hants
GU12 4JU
Phone: 0800 138 0509
Email: enquiries@twinstrust.org
Bliss Charity
For Babies Born Sick or Premature. Having a premature or sick baby in hospital can be incredibly distressing for families.
We offer emotional and practical support to empower families and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to provide the best possible care to their baby, for however long they live and for however long their stay in neonatal care.
Phone: 020 7378 1122
Email: hello@bliss.org.uk
Ickle Pickles
The Smallest Babies Need The Biggest Help. The Ickle Pickles offers a unique opportunity to help vulnerable babies at a critical time in their lives.
Pregnancy Choices
Pregnancy Crisis Helpline
We’re able to provide you a safe and confidential place to talk through your situation. Whether you don’t feel like you can keep your baby or you are thinking of having an abortion, or perhaps you’re just scared of the journey ahead – get in touch and we’ll listen and help you explore your choices.
Phone: 0800 368 9296
MSI (Marie Stopes International)
We've been helping people with their reproductive health options for over 40 years. We provide NHS-funded and self-funded abortion and vasectomy care through our network of local clinics all over England. You can give us a call whenever you need us. Our advice line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Bognor Medical Practice
West Street
Bognor Regis
PO21 1UT
Phone: 0345 300 8090
BPAS (British Pregnancy & Advice Service)
The UK's leading abortion care service, we campaign for women's reproductive choices
Phone: 03457 30 40 30
Pregnancy Options Centre
FREE unbiased help and support for unplanned pregnancy, post abortion and pregnancy loss.
Phone: 01243 784177 & 07843 543792
Email: office@optionschichester.org.uk
counselling@optionschichester.org.uk
Domestic Violence Support
Safe in Sussex
Safe in Sussex is a registered charity providing help and support for people affected by domestic abuse in West Sussex.
Through refuge accommodation and outreach programmes, we work hard to support victims of abuse in their recovery and empowerment once free from an abusive relationship.
We’re committed to preventing domestic abuse by providing education and training on how to spot the signs of domestic abuse, and by promoting healthy relationships.
Telephone: 0330 333 7416
Email: outreach@safeinsussex.org.uk
WORTH
MY WORTH Specialist Domestic Abuse Service supports people at high risk of harm or homicide as a result of domestic abuse.
Telephone: 07834 968539 & 033 022 28181
My Sisters House
My Sisters’ House Women’s Centre works across the coastal area of West Sussex providing a range of support services to women from all backgrounds facing all kinds of issues.
Telephone: 01243 697800
Email: office@mysistershouse.info
National domestic violence helpline
For women and children. Against domestic violence.
Telephone: 0808 2000 247