Children aged 18-25 years

This page has been designed for you with other care experienced young people and adults. It’s here to help you find health information and advice in one place.
Click on the topic you’re interested in and take a look at the videos or links. There’s lots of information on keeping your body and mind healthy, and other issues too like relationships, gender identity and who to contact if you would like more advice.
You can let us know what you think about the content or if you think something should be added, by contacting one of us in the Children In Care andf Care Leaver Designated Nurse team in Sussex.
Mental health
- Essential support for under 25s | The Mix
- If you’re having a difficult time | Samaritans
- Thinking of going missing? - Missing People
- Calm zone | ChildLine
- Exam stress and pressure | Childline
- A Guide to grief support
- Hub of Hope - Directory of services in Sussex
Here are some free phone numbers and text services to access support if you ever need it:
- Mind: 0300 123 3393 or Text 86463
- Samaritans: 116 123
- Papyrus HOPE Line: 0800 068 4141
- Missing People helpline: 116 000
Sleep
Keeping healthy
- How To Check Your Breasts, Pecs or Chest | CoppaFeel!
- Let’s check your nuts - Baggy Trousers UK | Testicular Cancer Awareness
- Seeing your medical records | The Patients Association
- How to find an NHS dentist - NHS
- NHS Food Scanner app - NHS - Download the food scanner App to find out what’s really in your food. There’s helpful recipes too.
- Recipes - Healthy Living - Change 4 Life
- 8 tips for healthy eating - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Live Well - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Sunscreen and sun safety - NHS
- How to keep your teeth clean - NHS
Free prescriptions - As a Care Leaver in Sussex, you are entitled to free pre-payment prescriptions for medication if you meet the following criteria:
- You are registered with a GP
- You are a Care Leaver and receive a leaving care service from a Sussex local authority
- You are under 25 years old
- You are not already exempt from prescription charges; check if you are exempt
If you think you are eligible for free prescriptions, contact your leaving care team to apply
Accessing health advice and Treatment
When you need advice or treatment for health concerns, how do you know which health service to access?
Take a look at the NHS services - NHS website to find out. Watch the video below to find out more about what Urgent Treatment Centres and Minor Injury Services can provide in Sussex:
Gender identity
Gender dysphoria - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Sexual health and relationships
Sexual health and wellbeing - Brook - Fighting for healthy lives
Sexual health service in Surrey and Sussex
- East Sussex Sexual Health | East Sussex Healthcare or phone: 0808 168 1282
- Brighton & Hove Sexual Health and Contraception Service or phone: 01273 523 388
- West Sussex Sexual Health Service or phone: 01903 285199
- Young people's sexual health services (under 25 year olds) | Healthy Surrey
Health conditions
- Asthma - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)
- Diabetes UK - Know diabetes. Fight diabetes. | Diabetes UK
- 19-25's - DigiBete - If you are 19-25yrs old and have Diabetes
- Young people and epilepsy | Epilepsy Society
- Hormones, menstrual cycles, and periods | Epilepsy Society
Support for alcohol or substance misuse
In this section you’ll find links to information and support for alcohol and substance misuse.
- Alcohol and drug advice and info from Change Grow Live
- Change Grow Live | Charity | We can help you change your life
- Honest information about drugs | FRANK (talktofrank.com)
Talk To FRANK helpline: 0300 123 6600 (free) or Text: 82111 (free)
Employment, education and training
In this section you can find links to helpful information about employment, education and training specifically for people with care experience. You can also find out more in the ‘Care Leavers Offers’ section, to see how your area can support you
Housing and money matters
You can find local advice from services near you, on housing and money matters:
- Accommodation for care leavers - Surrey County Council - Surrey
- Housing and Accommodation - East Sussex
- Information and Advice - East Sussex 1Space
- Homeless Prevention Services - Sussex
- Money Worries — Brighton and Hove
- Housing - Brighton and Hove
- Keeping warm and energy advice - West Sussex
- Debt and money advice - West Sussex
Information for care leavers
- A voice for teenagers in care and care leavers | IMO
- Help at Hand - for care leavers
- Charity for children in care and young care leavers | Become
- Thrive Platform: improving outcomes for Care Leavers | Career Matters
- Young people leaving care | Barnardo’s
- Support for Adopted Adults - Adoption Matters
Care leaver offers
- East Sussex - Local offer - Support for care leavers
- Brighton & Hove - Leaving Care Offer
- West Sussex - Leaving Care Offer
- Support for care leavers: Surrey's Local Offer - Surrey County Council
