I have to phone HV in a mo to ask for help, what do i ask for?

[Marne]

A few weeks ago i was feeling low and went to the GP, they contacted the HV to see if they could arrange some kind of help with the dd's. I have to phone them after 4pm to talk about help for me and dd's. I hate asking for help, what can they provide that will be of use to me? what should i be asking for? Will they pass me on to SS?

What sort of help would you like, Marne? Would you like company / friendship, like the sort of thing Homestart offer? Or are you after childcare - a creche or something? Think about what you want and then be straightforward about it. They may or may not be able to help? Are you know to SS? Would this be your first contact with them if they got involved?

I'm presuming yours woul work like when I was down in your County.

So theya r elikely to have access to HomeStart, sometimes funded Nursery places (probably less these days), and theya re always fond of a mother and toddler group of course...

They might want to help you access SSD or charities in the area; sometimes there are things that need HV referrals.

I have been trying to get a social worker, when i phoned (to ask about a social worker)i was told i needed to go through my GP, so no, we don't have any involvement from SS. I'm not sure what help i want, some days i feel like i cant cope with life and other days i feel like i can take on the world.

The main problem at the moment is housing but i have just had good news from the council saying we have been put top of the list (after 2 appeals and months of phone calls).

I guess the one thing that would be helpful is some help around the house (maybe someone to do the ironing) so i can spend more time doing therapy with the dd's, or some kind of respite during the holidays (maybe once a week just during the day) so i can have a break.

Ive given up having friends, i seem to have drifted away from most of my friends, the only friends i have are other mums with sn children (mainly on the web), my family don't really offer any help, since dd2 was diagnosed my brother hasn't even visited .

Dd2 will be starting school in September so i'm hoping things will get better once she is settled but they could also get worse if the school does not support her needs.