Growing Healthy 0-25 Northumberland

20/08/2026

Having s*x? Protect yourself!

If you’re s*xually active, use condoms and get tested regularly - some STIs don’t show symptoms, so they can be passed on without you knowing and still cause serious long-term health problems.

The good news?

✔ Free condoms
✔ Free STI testing
✔ Online testing available
✔ Totally confidential
✔ No judgement

Find free, confidential s*xual health services at www.elephant-in-the-room.co.uk

*xualhealth

20/08/2026

💛 Babies cry, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. You are not alone.

Check if your baby is hungry, tired, too hot or cold, or needs a nappy change. Try holding them close, gently rocking them, singing or going for a short walk, but sometimes babies will continue to cry even when you have tried everything

If you feel upset or stressed:

✅ Put your baby safely in their cot
✅ Step away for a few minutes
✅ Take some slow breaths
✅ Go back when you feel calmer
❌ Never, ever shake a baby

It is OK to ask for help. Speak to someone you trust, your midwife, health visitor or GP.

If you think your baby is unwell, contact NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

Babies cry. You can cope. Help is available

20/08/2026

Good luck to the young people collecting results today ❤️

Here's a little guide to the scoring system for those of us old enough to remember the old way! 🙈

19/08/2026

🤝🌐 HOME & SCHOOL WORKING TOGETHER 🌐🤝
Supporting Children to Stay Safe Online
🏠 Parents & Carers

✅ Talk about online safety regularly
✅ Know what apps and games your child uses
✅ Encourage children to tell you if something worries them
✅ Set clear boundaries for screen time

🏫 School & Teachers

✅ Teach online safety skills
✅ Provide support when concerns arise
✅ Share advice and resources with families
✅ Encourage positive online behaviour

💬 WORK TOGETHER

When parents and teachers work together, children receive consistent messages about staying safe online.

Key Messages for Children

🔒 Keep Personal Information Private

🤔 Think Before You Click

💛 Be Kind Online

🗣️ Tell a Trusted Adult if Something Doesn't Feel Right

🚦 STOP • BLOCK • REPORT • TELL 🚦

✋ STOP if something feels wrong

🚫 BLOCK unwanted contact

📢 REPORT inappropriate behaviour

🗣️ TELL a trusted adult

🌟 TOGETHER WE CAN HELP CHILDREN BE 🌟
🛡️ SAFE
💻 SMART
💛 KIND

Strong partnerships between home and school help children thrive both online and offline. 🌈✨

19/08/2026

During the summer holidays children often have access to more screen time, below are some tops tips on keeping safe :)

🌈🌐 ONLINE SAFETY 🌐🌈
⭐ Stay Safe • Stay Smart • Stay Kind ⭐

👤 Keep it Private! 🚫 Don't share your name, address, school, phone number, or passwords.

🔒 Use Strong Passwords Keep your passwords secret and safe.

🤔 Think Before You Click Not everything online is true!

👥 Only Talk to People You Know People online may not always be who they say they are.

💛 Be Kind Online Use kind words and treat others with respect.

📱 Take Screen Breaks Make time for play, exercise, hobbies, and family fun!

🚦 STOP • BLOCK • TELL 🚦

✋ STOP if something doesn't feel right.

🚫 BLOCK the person if needed.

🗣️ TELL a trusted adult straight away.

🌟 Remember! 🌟

Think Before You Click! Keep Information Private! Always Tell an Adult if You're Worried! 🛡️😊

19/08/2026

🍃Wednesdays Sensory Summer: Take your senses on a nature walk

On your next walk, invite your child to notice:

👀 Something colourful
👂 A quiet or distant sound
👃 A natural smell
✋ A safe texture, such as grass, bark or a smooth stone
🧍 How their body feels when walking, stretching or balancing

Keep the activity relaxed. Children can point, gesture, photograph or simply notice instead of speaking or touching. Sensory activities work best when they are adapted to the child’s preferences and are introduced gently rather than forced.

18/08/2026

Parents of Year 13 students and new university starters 📢

The MenB vaccine can help protect young people from serious illnesses such as meningitis and septicaemia.

Find out if your child is eligible. https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/12/who-is-eligible-for-the-new-one-off-menb-vaccine-programme/

👉 Find out more https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/getting-the-menb-vaccine-ahead-of-starting-university-or-college/

18/08/2026

💚Did you know? You can make a difference to your child's development with fun tips and play ideas to help with their early learning
👉 Search 'Family Hub Northumberland' in your mobile app store!
✨ The BEST part is - it's absolutely FREE, and there's ZERO screentime for your child *The app is for parents with children under 5 years of age

17/08/2026

😴📚 Getting ready for the new school term?

Holiday lie-ins can make the return to school routines a little tricky. Help your child ease back into their school sleep schedule by making small changes each day.

✅ Move bedtime and wake-up time 15 minutes earlier every few days
✅ Keep a consistent sleep routine where possible
✅ Encourage calm, screen-free activities before bed
✅ Be patient, as it can take time to adjust

A gradual approach can help children feel more rested, refreshed and ready to learn when school starts again. 🌟

Good sleep can make a big difference to your child's learning, concentration and emotional wellbeing as they begin this exciting new chapter. 🌟

For expert advice, practical tips and additional support, visit The Sleep Charity website today and explore resources to help prepare your child for a successful start at school.

💙 Small changes now can help make those first school mornings a little easier.

https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/back-to-school-knowyoursleep/

Back to school is fast approaching as is our annual awareness campaign, Sleeptember. This year we are looking at education around sleep with our campaign. Whether you have a new-starter or a child moving up a year, going back to school can be a daunting and/or exciting time and follow...

17/08/2026

💧⭐ Make hydration fun! Use a Drinking Reward Chart to help your child plan when they'll have their drinks throughout the day. Tick off each drink, earn stickers, and celebrate healthy habits one sip at a time! 🥤🌟

💧 Top Tips for Healthy Drinking Habits 💧
✅ Aim for 6-8 drinks a day (8 is ideal for children with bladder or bowel concerns). ✅ Spread drinks evenly throughout the day, with most consumed before the end of school.
✅ Build drinking into daily routines, such as after waking, meals and activities.
✅ Limit drinks to a small cup in the hour before bed if night-time wetting is a concern.
✅ Celebrate success with stickers, smiley faces, or rewards to help make healthy drinking habits stick! 🌟

🥤 Looking for a fun way to encourage healthy hydration habits? Download a print-ready Drinks Rewards Chart today from the ERIC website and start tracking progress with your little one! 💧⭐

https://eric.org.uk/drinking-reward-chart/

💙