Resources and advice to support parental wellbeing (updated for 2026)

When I am working with a coaching client, it is rare that we only talk about one aspect of their life; we don’t just hyper-focus on their job! To create a career to enjoy, we assess where their work fits into life as a whole. During the coaching process, as they learn to trust me more, they often will open up about their aspirations and goals, as well as the issues and challenges they are experiencing. Whilst there are lots of things that I can do as a coach to help them uncover solutions, sometimes the best thing I can do is signpost to other resources. People, places, and organisations that are more specialised to help them get the information or support they need. Being able to provide them with this type of signposting means that the person can spread their support network as wide as they can. So today, I wanted to share with you some of the websites and organisations that can provide you with resources and advice for parental well-being.

 

When we start to reflect on all the facets of life; our responsibilities, our obligations, wishes and needs, it’s easy to see why so many of us feel overwhelmed and lost. Whilst I am not able to promise that the list I am providing can provide the answers to everything that may be causing you to stress and worry right now, I hope that just knowing what is out there can help you start to take steps to feel more in control.

 

I have tried to find places that have, a wide scope of support, but I am aware that I know I haven’t covered everything, so please, if you feel there are people, places and organisations that need to be on the list, email me on hello@thebalancecollective.co.uk and I will add them in. Some of these I have personal or professional experience with, and others have been recommended to me by others. Either way, I hope that you can find help where and when you need it. 

 

Signposting to resources and advice for parental wellbeing

 

Physical & Mental Wellness and safety 

PANDAS (PND Awareness and Support) is a community offering peer-to-peer support for you, your family, and your network. 

 

No Panic offers advice, support, recovery programmes and help for people living with phobias, OCD and any other anxiety-based disorders. 

 

Rethink Mental Illness help people severely affected by mental illness to improve their lives. They are on a mission to bring about meaningful change, through services, groups and campaigns. 

 

The BBC has created and curated a range of resources to help support parental well-being and mental health, including Strategies to cope with stress as a parent, and “New Dads: your guide to good mental health”. Well worth a look at!

 

Clear, practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money from Mental Health & Money Advice. 

 

The Samaritans: Every seven seconds, they respond to a call for help. They are here for anyone who needs someone. 

 

If your employer has any occupation health support – which could also be called employee support – or be part of health insurance, you may be able to access a range of support, including counselling. It is worth having a look at your employee handbook or speaking to your HR department (if you have one). With this in mind, it’s always worth having a look at any insurance policies or bank accounts you hold, as they may have these are part of your benefits. 

As this is being updated during Maternal Mental Health Awareness week (first week of May), it makes sense to include the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership, a collective of charities and information to help all year round.

 

We are with you provides free and confidential support with alcohol, drugs, and mental health from both local services and online. 

Domestic Violence UK was set up to provide information support and raise awareness of the issues of domestic and emotional abuse.  

The National Centre for Domestic Violence (DCDV) aims to help people identify the early signs of domestic abuse, make decisions for a better life, and to make domestic abuse socially unacceptable. They offer a range of support including a free emergency injunction service and signposting for help.

Surviving Economic Abuse who is transforming response to economic abuse

Rights of Women is a charity with a vision to achieve equality, justice and safety in the law for all women

Tommy’s offers support for baby loss at any stage. 

Cruse Bereavement Support offers support no matter why, or how long, you have been grieving. 

 

Employment, Rights and Money

 

Pregnant Then Screwed is a charity dedicated to ending the motherhood penalty, supporting tens of thousands of women each year, and successfully campaigning for change. 

They offer amongst other things, a FREE legal helpline. 

Gingerbread Single Parents: Equal Families is the leading national charity working with single parents. Support includes advice, support and policy making.

 

Working Families is the UK’s national charity for working parents and carers. Their aim is to remove the barriers that people with caring responsibilities face in the workplace.

 

ACAS is for employees and employers in England, Scotland and Wales, working to improve workplace relationships, and offering FREE advice on employment rights. 

 

Another free advice service, Citizen Advice, covers a range of rights including employment, housing, consumer rights, family, law and health.

 

Child Law Advice provides free specialist advice and information on child, family and education law.

 

Turn2Us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. You can work through your personal circumstances to make sure you are accessing everything you are entitled to. 

 

Money Saving Expert, Founded by Martin (the Money Man) Lewis, is like your own personal financial researcher. From bargains to cost of living help, there really is everything for everyone. You can sign up for the weekly newsletter if you find the site a bit overwhelming.

 

If you are now working from home full-time, or your work doesn’t have an office, you can gain tax relief. This is NOT for those that have a hybrid work pattern or choose to work from home.  

 

National Debtline is a charity giving free and independent debt advice.

 

Shelter is a charity that helps those remain in safe housing; they provide advice on homelessness, tenancy deposits, council housing, repairs, private renting, benefits & money problems, eviction and mortgage repossession.

 

Caring for others

 

Age UK’s vision is a world where everyone can love later life. They offer support, and advice to support older people live their lives to the full.

 

Young Minds are fighting for young people’s mental health and offer support for young people, their parents and those that work with young people.

Action for Children have a range of support, including their online resources, “Parent Talk” and FREE access to parent coaches.  This covers children from birth to 19.

The Mix provides essential support for those under 25, covering mental health, money, work and study, sex & relationships, and crime and safety.

 

Carers UK makes life better for carers. They offer expert advice, information and support.

Family Fund  is the UK’s largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.

Buttle UK is a charity dedicated to helping children and young people in the UK who have experienced crisis, living in financial hardship and dealing with multiple challenging social issues.

Directories for local support 

Family Hubs are for those looking after babies and young people, between 0 and 19 years of age; local support centres where families and young people can access a range of support. You can find your nearest one via this link or your local authority website.

Find a local food bank through the Food Aid Network.  They represent independent food banks across 777 location in the UK;  

 

If you, or someone you know, need to find a warm, welcoming space during the winter, there are currently over 3000 registered organisations that have opened their doors on Warm Welcome. You can filter by important things like Child Friendly, FREE Wifi Access, Accessible Toilets and Co-Working, amongst other things. 

 

Through a referral from a professional (such as a midwife, health visitor, food bank or local mutual support group) there is support for parents of younger children (under the age of 5) with essential items through a baby bank. You can find a local one via Little Village.

 

Advice Local helps you filter by location on support for areas including welfare benefits, council tax, debt, housing, employment, disability and social care and asylum & immigration. 

 

My aim, like my Family Friendly Jobs article, is to regularly update this to reflect the needs of the community and what is available to be accessed, ideally for free. You may have noticed how many of these are charities or not-for-profit organisations, so they rely on donations and support. Please feel free to share this as far and wide as possible for those that you feel may benefit and donate if you can.  

 

As mentioned before, if you have any resources that you feel are missing from the list, please send them my way so I can update this.

 

Take care of yourself.