KAREN Howell, chief executive of Wirral Community NHS Foundation Trust, writes for the Globe ...

CALLING all school children, young people and their families and carers!

In my column this week I wanted to tell you about a fantastic new drop-in service we have launched for school aged children, young people and their families.

Growing up brings many challenges, from school readiness and speech and language to development and friendships.

We want to do all that we can to offer help and support around anything to do with a child’s health and wellbeing.

So we're delighted to have opened four new confidential drop-in clinics, after school, providing a safe and confidential place to discuss any problems, worries or concerns.

Perhaps you're a young person who's worried about your weight and would like some help and support around healthy eating and weight management?

Maybe you feel you have confidence or self-esteem issues and would like to talk to a health professional without having to make an appointment?

Are you a parent or carer with a child who doesn’t seem to sleep, wets the bed or who you may be worried has behaviour issues?

Or perhaps you would just like some general lifestyle advice.

Whatever your problem, if you're of school age or care for a school age child, we can help!

Our 0-19 health service staff will be on hand from after school until early evening four days a week.

Our service brings together health visitors, school nurses, screeners and immunisers, speech and language professionals, Family Nurse Partnership, breastfeeding support, continence services, nutrition and dietetics and many more.

They are all working together to give children and young people the best start in life.

We had a great turnout at the Wellbeing Hub launch with dozens of staff from GP practices, schools, children's centres and the local authority all coming along to find out more.

It's a great example of partnership working, as all the different settings can now signpost children, young people and parents to the new hubs.

We know that it can be difficult for working parents to make appointments to access clinics in working hours, so we hope the hubs will enable them to seek help and support without taking time off work.

The new hubs open at 4pm and are held in Birkenhead, Eastham, Wallasey and Greasby.

And remember you don't need an appointment - you can just turn up.

  • Mondays: 4-6pm at St Catherine’s Health Centre, Health Visitor Clinic, 1st floor, Derby Rd, Birkenhead CH42 0LQ
  • Tuesdays: 4-6pm at Eastham Clinic, Eastham Rake, Birkenhead CH62 9AN
  • Wednesdays: 4pm-5.30pm Greasby Clinic, Greasby Road, Greasby CH49 3AT
  • Thursdays: 4-6pm Victoria Central Health Centre, Clinic Room, 1st floor, Mill Lane, Wallasey CH44 5UF

For more information call 0151 514 0219, visit us on Facebook - 0219HVHub or you can drop-in to one of our FREE sessions.