Darlington 0-19 Growing Healthy Team

17/10/2026

"Your Library, Your Chapter of Wellbeing

📚 Libraries aren’t just about books — they’re powerful community health spaces.

They support:
💬 Connection – Book clubs, social groups & coffee mornings for parents
🎨 Child development – Free toddler groups, rhyme time & creative play
🛋️ Teen wellbeing – Calm, safe spaces to relax and feel seen
💻 Access – Free Wi-Fi, warm spaces, trusted health info
🧠 Mental health – Quiet, welcoming environments to pause and recharge

All completely free. All open to everyone.

📍 Find your local library online or in person — it could be the most underrated health & wellbeing space in your community."

15/10/2026

💙 Help protect yourself and your family this winter.

If you or your child are eligible for a flu vaccination, take up the offer. The vaccination helps reduce the risk of becoming seriously unwell with flu.

Find out more from the NHS website

15/10/2026

🩷💙 Baby Loss Awareness Week | 9-15 October

Baby Loss Awareness Week is an opportunity to come together, break the silence around pregnancy and baby loss, and ensure that no family feels alone in their grief. It provides a safe and supportive space for people to share their experiences and remember the babies who will always be loved and never forgotten.

Whether your loss was recent or many years ago, your baby matters, and your feelings matter.

On 15 October, people across the world will take part in the by lighting a candle at 7pm in memory of every baby who has died.

🕯️ You are not alone.

For more information about Baby Loss Awareness Week, visit: https://babyloss-awareness.org/

14/10/2026

🥕 A little extra help with healthy food for your family

The NHS Healthy Start scheme helps eligible pregnant people and families with children under four buy healthy food and milk.

Money is added to a Healthy Start card every four weeks, which can be used for items including fruit, vegetables, pulses, milk and infant formula. Free Healthy Start vitamins are also available through the scheme.

It is worth checking, even if you are unsure whether you qualify.

👉 Find out more about NHS Healthy Start

14/10/2026

95% of ex-smokers see positive changes in their life as early as 2 weeks after quitting - so just imagine how good it would be after 4! Halfway there, you are incredible 🙌

13/10/2026

11/10/2026

🏳️‍🌈 National Coming Out Day
Today, we recognise National Coming Out Day and stand with LGBTQ+ people and communities.
Coming out is a personal choice, and there is no right time or way to do it. Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and supported to be themselves.
Let’s continue to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued. 💙

10/10/2026

Lived experiences heard: Real voices, real change.
🧠 World Mental Health Day | 10 October

Looking after children and young people can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging.

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to take a moment to think about your own mental wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of those around you.

💚 Take time for yourself
💚 Stay connected with people you trust
💚 Talk about how you're feeling
💚 Reach out for support when you need it

Talking is good for our mental health, and no one should feel they have to cope alone.

Find tips, advice and resources from the Mental Health Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

08/10/2026

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms from quitting smoking?
There are lots of free tools, medications and therapies that can help - visit NHS website for more information, or contact us for more information

07/10/2026

Mental health can be difficult to talk about, there are so many stigmas around it, especially with men but we want you to know it's okay to talk about it. We need to talk about it, teach out children it's okay not to be okay and talk openly about it.

This month, we’re spotlighting men’s mental health and breaking down the barriers that often prevent men from seeking support.