At Melbourn Village College, we are committed to supporting the emotional wellbeing and mental health of all our students. Below you will find lots of resources and links to support positive mental health and wellbeing.
Support in School
- Our provision is led by the Mental Health Champion.
- The pastoral team works closely with students, parents/carers, and teachers to provide tailored support.
- We have access to school counsellors, youth workers, and dedicated support for young carers.
If you have non-urgent concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please contact your child’s Form Tutor or Pastoral team for advice.
Urgent and Emergency Support
- If your child is struggling to cope and may be at risk of harm to themselves or others, call NHS 111 and select option 2 for mental health support.
- In an emergency, dial 999 immediately.
We work closely with Local Authorities and external organisations to provide additional support for young people, their families, and carers.
For more information on local services, visit Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT). CPFT delivers NHS services in the community, including physical health, mental health, and specialist care.
Reliable information on mental health and wellbeing for children, young people, and adults in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.
Kooth provides a commissioned service consisting of an online wellbeing platform which along with text based counselling also includes helpful articles, forums, a mini activity hub, daily journaling and messaging. Kooth.com is available to young people aged 11-18 in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and Qwell.io is available to all staff and parents aged 18+. We have been a trusted partner of the NHS for over 20 years.
The platform provides instant access to self-help materials, live moderated discussion forums and tools such as online journals and goal trackers. People can also contribute written pieces of work reflecting their own experiences, as well as accessing drop-in or on-going structured text-based chat sessions with professional counsellors.
The free, safe and anonymous support includes a personal goal-based journey via online counsellors available 365 days a year, 12pm -10pm on weekdays and 6pm-10pm on weekends..
Confidential text messaging service with trained health staff.
Available Monday–Friday, 9.30am–4.00pm. Text 07480 635 443 to start a conversation.
Whether they’re battling an eating disorder, or supporting someone who’s struggling – we’re there with people affected, every step of the way. From our Helpline to our online workshops and chatrooms, our services help make sure no one feels alone in their recovery journey. Our Helplines are open from 3pm– 8pm, Monday to Friday 0808 801 0677.
Information for young people and parents/carers facing eating challenges. We are here to empower you to take your seat at the table with decision makers. By using your lived experience equally alongside professionals, you can help develop, change and influence mental health and drug and alcohol support services for the better.
Cambridgeshire Child and Adolescent Substance Use Service. Provides information, support, and treatment for young people under 18 and their families.
Friendly, confidential advice on drugs. You can search for local treatment and support services, or you may find it helpful to talk to a FRANK advisor on 0300 123 6600.
You may also want to look into support groups for family members. This is a good opportunity for you to voice your feelings and see how others are coping.
Melbourn Village College recognises the vital role young carers play in their families and the additional responsibilities these place upon them.
- We are committed to ensuring young carers can attend and enjoy school in the same way as other students.
- We work alongside Centre 33 Young Carers Project Workers to provide support.
- For further information, visit Help for Young Carers.
Who are young carers? Young carers are children and young people under 18 who provide, or intend to provide, care for someone who is ill, disabled, has a mental health condition, or struggles with addiction. Young carers may be vulnerable when their responsibilities affect their emotional wellbeing, physical health, education, or future opportunities.
Local support for LGBTQ+ young people and their families. We run regular activities for the whole family to get involved – from Meet & Eat sessions across the county to support groups for parents and carers. Visit our Creating Supportive Environments project page for more information on our family programmes.
Mermaids supports transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children and young people, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care.