Coronavirus information

Organisations offering activities and support. For local information go to Coronavirus information.

Suffolk Advice and Support Service helpline: 0800 068 3131 for free financial advice or support.

Home, But Not Alone emergency helpline: 0800 876 6926 for urgent help

ChatHealth Texting Service

General Details

ChatHealth is an easy way for young people (aged 11-19 years) to confidentially ask for help about a range of issues, or make an appointment with a school nurse, by sending a text message.

This service is provided by Suffolk County Council's School Nursing Service covering all of Suffolk (from 01 April 2019 this includes Lowestoft and Waveney), and aims to provide timely and convenient access to confidential health advice for students, including issues about:

Sexual health
Emotional health and wellbeing
Bullying
Healthy eating
Smoking, drugs and alcohol
Self harm
General health concerns

Messages sent to the dedicated number are delivered to a secure website, and responded to by local school nursing teams.

You can text a school nurse on 07507 333356, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 09:00 to 16:30.

Anyone who texts the service out-of-hours receives a ‘bounce–back’ message that explains where to get help, and when they can expect a response. Texts are normally replied to within one working day.

This service is also available for parents with children in primary school.

See a video promoting the ChatHealth Text Service to teenagers and the parents of age groups (5-19) https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uo0y5o9l3dq1jo4/AADXReaaBhqBMUv3tirY0lHRa?dl=0&preview=ChathealthService_V4.mp4

Who to contact

Name: Text a school nurse on:
Telephone: 07507 333356
Email: schoolnursing@suffolk.gov.uk
Website: School nursing

Where to go

Area served: Haverhill, Ipswich, Hadleigh, Halesworth, Kessingland, Lakenheath, Ixworth, Kesgrave, Lowestoft, Mid Suffolk, Lavenham, East Suffolk, Leiston, Newmarket, North Ipswich, Mildenhall, Needham Market, Beccles, Saxmundham, Brandon, South Ipswich, Aldeburgh, North Lowestoft, Babergh, Oulton Broad, Capel St Mary, Stowmarket, Stradbroke, Clare, Southwold, Bungay, Bury St Edmunds, Elmswell, All Suffolk, Eye, Thurston, Debenham, Sudbury, East Ipswich, Framlingham, Wickham Market, Woodbridge, Glemsford, Felixstowe, West Suffolk, West Ipswich

Days & Times

Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 09:00 to 16:30

Other details

Referral required?: No
Age Groups: Young people
Service users involved in planning: Yes
Last Updated: 10/04/2019

Local Offer

Experience of including people with special educational needs and disabilities

Health Visiting, Children’s Centre and School Nursing Services provide support for the needs of children and young people with a range of additional needs, some of which are complex.

Where appropriate professionals contribute to the Education Health and Care Plan assessment process, and the ongoing intervention packages required to support children of all ages, whether in early years, mainstream or special school settings.

All our staff are aware of the SEND reforms and are active participants where children and young people are known to their services.

For details of each children's centre offer, please use the search function to find and view their own page.