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Support For Struggling Parents

Healthy start vouchers

  • You may be eligible for a 'Healthy Start card' that you can use to buy milk, fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and veg, fresh, dried & tinned pulses, infant formula milk and you can also get free vitamins.
  • You qualify for Healthy Start if live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, and you receive certain benefits, or you're pregnant and under 18 years old.
  • Click here for information on how to apply for a Healthy Start card.
  • If you live in Scotland you can get help from Best Start Foods (a prepaid card) instead - click here for more information.


Sure Start Maternity Grant

  • You could qualify for a Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500, no matter what savings you may have.
  • This is a one-off payment to help towards the cost of essential maternity and baby items for your first birth (or if your other children are over 16 years).
  • You don’t have to repay it and it won’t affect any other benefits but you may not be eligible if you have other children.
  • Click here for more information on Sure Start Maternity Grants.
  • If you live in Scotland, you can apply for a Pregnancy and Baby Payment instead - click here for more information.

Ask for support

Being a parent isn’t always easy, especially with the additional financial pressure many parents are facing right now. Being a good parent doesn’t mean being perfect all the time and if you are struggling then please don’t think you’re alone or doing a bad job. We know services aren’t as available or quick as they should be but that doesn’t mean that no help is available. There are a range of professionals working in health, education and social care to support parents and carers as well as lots of voluntary organisations. Sometimes it can feel hard to ask for help or to know who to turn to. If in doubt, talk to your GP, health visitor or midwife, who will be able to signpost you to services available locally.

Here are some charities and organisations that may be able to help:

  • Home-Start works with families in communities right across the UK. 'Starting in the home, our approach is as individual as the people we’re helping. No judgement, it is just compassionate, confidential help and expert support.'

  • The Money Advice Service have a guide to your finances when you become a parent.

  • Mind can give you support and advice on your own mental health. You can call the Mind helpline (0300 123 3393) or text “Shout” to 85258 if you feel that you are in crisis.

  • NCT provides accurate, impartial information on all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood including help with feeding.

  • Turn2Us have a benefits calculator which can help people access the benefits that are available to them.

  • BBC Action Line has a page here with information on charities offering help with debt and hardship.