- For free school uniforms for many Calderdale schools, visit: Halifax YMCA. No referral needed. Open:
- Monday from 10am to 2pm.
- Thursday and Friday from 10am to 4pm;
- Saturday from 10am to 12noon.
- Ask your school directly if they have a second hand uniform shop.
- Are you eligible for help with school meals?
- Do you want to know more about childcare funding?
- Do you need to find childcare?
- Are you looking for children's centres?
- Are you a child or young person and looking for information and advice on being safe?
- Are you a parent/carer and need help with basic equipment and clothing for your child(ren)? Contact your health visitor or family support worker, who can make a referral to:
- Mothershare Calderdale.
- Calderdale Lighthouse.
- Healthy Futures (Twitter).
- Zarach - for beds.
- Overgate Hospice has a number of Little Stars charity shops across Calderdale. These sell low-cost preloved baby and children's clothing, footwear and other items. They often post new items on their Facebook pages:
Safeguarding children and young people
Advice and support if you are worried about any child:
- Phone: (01422) 393336 (Multi Agency Screening Team).
- Phone: (01422) 288000 (Out-of-hours Team).
- Website: Safeguarding children.
Calderdale Safeguarding Children Partnership offers a range of support for children, adults and professionals.
Budgeting for a baby
To find out what you will need to cover baby's expenses, try the baby budget calculator.
To schedule key money related dates for you and your pregnancy, use the baby money timeline.
Healthy Holidays
In school holidays, children and young people who get benefits related free school meals can access free holiday club places.
NHS Healthy Start
You may be able to get help to buy healthy food and milk, if:
- You are more than 10 weeks pregnant;
- or have a child under four years old.
If you do get this help:
- You will be sent a Healthy Start card (with money on it) to use in some UK shops.
- Your benefit will be added to the card every four weeks.
You can use the card to buy:
- Plain liquid cow's milk.
- Fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables.
- Fresh, dried and tinned pulses.
- Infant formula milk based on cow's milk.
You can also use it to collect Healthy Start vitamins.
- These support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- There are also vitamin drops for babies and young children, suitable from birth to 4 years old.
To apply:
- Visit: Healthy Start - How to apply.
- Phone: 0118 338 5810.
Emergency Infant Formula and Healthy Start Vitamins
Maternity services
Calderdale Community Midwifery Support from the Calderdale community midwifery team. For non-urgent queries:
- Phone: 01422 261364.
- Visit: Community midwifery - Calderdale and Kirklees (NHS).
Calderdale Public Health Early Years' Service (PHEYS)
Support from the Health Visiting Team (breastfeeding, maternal mental health, in pregnancy and for children from birth to 5 years):
- Phone: 030 0304 5076.
- Visit: Locala - Health Visiting.
- Facebook: Locala Health Visiting Calderdale.
Healthy Early Years Calderdale
A guide for parents of children aged birth to five years: Health Early Years Support (HEYS).
Healthy Futures Calderdale
Health and well-being advice, support, signposting and referral service from public health nurses. This is for school-aged children and their families.
- Phone: 030 33 309974.
- Twitter: Healthy Futures Calderdale.
Healthier Together (West Yorkshire)
Advice for parents and carers to keep their children safe and healthy.
- It complements local advice given across health and care services.
- Information is reviewed by health professionals to make sure it is up to date.
This should be the first point of call for parents and carers concerned about their child, visit: Healthier Together (NHS).
You can also call the NHS: 111 or visit Get medical help (NHS).
Chat Health
A private and secure text message service.
- Text: 07480 635297 for the young people's service.
- Text: 07507 332157 for the parents and carers service.