Health & Wellbeing

We want you to have the right support to have a happy and healthy life, your mental and physical health is important. Remember to access any of these offers please speak to your Young Person’s Advisor (YP) at any time.

• You can have access to a Health Passport so you can understand your health history.
• You can have contact with a Nurse who works with Children and Young People in and leaving Care.

Free prescriptions for Wolverhampton Care Leavers

Did you know Wolverhampton Care Leavers can access free prescriptions in a variety of ways?

If you are in education and aged 18 or under:
If you are in full time education you will get free prescriptions, dental care and eye care till you are 18

If you are on Universal Credit:
You will be entitled to free prescriptions, dentist care and eye care. Just take your entitlement letter to your Chemist or Optician when you book an appointment or collect your medication.

If you work and are earning a lower income:
If you are in work and on a low income you might have access to free prescriptions, dentist care and eye care if you are on a low income. You could apply for a HC2 Certificate

If you work full time, part time or attend university:
In the Black Country, care leavers who are not entitled to free prescriptions, can apply for a pre-payment certificate so they do not have to pay for prescribed medication.

Who is eligible?

Care leavers who are eligible for the pre-payment certificate must be:

• Registered with a GP
• A care leaver and eligible to receive a leaving care service from Wolverhampton
• Be under 25 years old
• Not already be exempt from prescription charges.

How do I apply?

To apply for a pre-payment certificate, complete the relevant application form. Once complete, send it to the Designated Nurse for Children in Care, via the email address highlighted at the bottom of the form.

When will I get my pre-payment certificate?

Once your application has been received, checks will be made to ensure that you are entitled to the pre-paid prescription. If you are eligible if you should receive your certificate within 2 weeks. If there is a delay in the certificate being issued, you will be informed.

If you are not eligible for the prepayment prescription you will be informed of the reason and will be provided with further advice on payment for prescriptions and appealing the decision.

What happens when my pre-payment certificate expires?

You will be contacted approximately one month before expiry of the certificate to see if you wish to continue with the pre-payment certificate for the following 12 months and to check your eligibility. Please note if we do not receive a response from you, your certificate will expire, and you will need to pay for any items prescribed or reapply with a new application form.

Sexual Health

You can get sexual health advice from Embrace which includes free access to contraception.

You can also meet the Embrace Team at the REACH Café drop-in centre, Old Health Crescent, WV1 2HW every Thursday, 1pm – 6pm.

Physical Health

You can have free membership to all WV Active gyms in Wolverhampton, you can also take a guest with you. You can also get free swimming lessons and lifeguard training.

You can have access to a Nurse who works specifically with Care Experienced young people.

You can meet the nurse at the REACH Café drop-in centre, Old Health Crescent, WV1 2HW every Thursday, 1pm – 6pm.

Mental Health

You can get help with your mental health and feelings from:

• Healthy Minds and Ask Jan ( see download section for further information)
• You can get help for drink and drug issues at Wolverhampton Recovery Near You.
• You can have free access to the Ask Jan app. The app can help care experienced young people access advice and support around their mental health as well as other benefits. For information about how to access the app please view the Ask Jan App Guide.
• You can have access to a nurturing you retreat and Whatsapp support group to offer you some self-care tips and strategies to help support your mental health.
• You can have access to wellbeing days and events throughout the year at The Oasis Drop in.

If you are a Care Leaver who is pregnant, preparing to become a parent, or a parent with a child or children, we will support you and your child, as the corporate grandparent.

We will ensure that

• You have access to a parenting programme where you can be supported to prepare for parenthood and learn practical parenting skills with support from a range of professionals.
• You have access to a stay and play group where you can build your social network, meet other parents and also link with parent champions. This stay and play group takes place on a Thursday morning 10am-12pm at our Oasis hub and is followed by our weekly drop in.
• You have access to fun sessions via the stay and play which may include a supported swim session at one of the WV active locations, soft play etc
• Where there are challenges and you may require social services support via a pre-birth or parenting assessment, you will be made aware of the process and expectations of this.
• For your first child you will be provided with a baby pack at least 8 weeks prior to babies’ due date which will provide some basic equipment, tips and guidance.
• You will be supported to have access to partner agencies such as healthy start, book start etc.
• You will have access to EET advice when you feel ready to return to work or training and be supported to explore any support available with child care costs
• You will be able to access support with child care during times of crisis or to support you to attend a programme of support outlined by social care.
• You will receive a Family hub welcome baby pack with useful information about services and support in your local area.
• You will have access to the healthy child wolves app:
  • App Store
  • Google Play

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You can visit the REACH Café drop-in centre, Old Health Crescent, WV1 2HW every Thursday, 1pm – 6pm to meet with your peers, YPA’s and a variety of support services to help and support you whatever you need.