Support Information

We have information to help you and your family through your liver journey. Sometimes, the journey that parents experience is different from their child and for this reason we have developed information leaflets with hints, tips and advice for two stages of your child’s journey.

Support organisations available during Christmas holiday period

The following organisations are operating throughout the Christmas holidays. Please make contact if you need to speak to someone.

Childline

Childline provides support for children and young people up to the age of 18 online, on the phone, anytime.

Phone: 0800 1111

Visit the Childline website

 

PAPYRUS

PAPYRUS offer support, practical advice and information to young people considering suicide, and can also offer help and advice if you’re concerned about someone you know.

Phone: 0800 068 41 41

Visit the Papyrus website

Nightlines

Nightlines are confidential, anonymous, non-judgemental support services run by students for students.

If you’re a student, you can search for your institution’s Nightline details via the website.

Visit the Nightlines website

Samaritans

Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day.

Phone: 116 123

Visit the Samaritans website

 

SOS Silence of Suicide

SOS Silence of Suicide provides a listening service for children and adults who need emotional support, understanding, compassion & kindness.

Phone: 0300 102 0505

Visit the SOS Silence of Suicide website

 

Shout

Shout is a 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone struggling to cope and in need of immediate help.

Text SHOUT to 85258

Visit the Shout website here

 

CALM

CALM, the campaign against living miserably is a suicide prevention charity that offers free, anonymous and confidential support via their helpline and webchat for anyone who is in crisis.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily 5pm-midnight)
Visit the CALM website

 

Lifeline

Lifeline provides support to people suffering distress or despair in Northern Ireland, regardless of age or district.

Phone: 0808 808 8000 (24 hours a day)

Visit the Lifeline website

Community Advice & Listening Line

Community Advice & Listening Line offers emotional support and information on mental health and related matters to people in Wales.

Phone: 0800 132 737 (24/7) or text “help” to 81066

Visit the Community Advice & Listening Line website

Breathing Space

Breathing Space offers a confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Phone: 0800 83 85 87 (Mon-Thu 6pm-2am, weekends 24 hours).
A BSL service is also available via the website.

Visit the Breathing Space website

 

Cruse

Cruse is a bereavement support charity and their phoneline is open during specific hours

Coping with grief at Christmas (cruse.org.uk)

 

Compassionate Friends

This is a charity specifically for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents

The Compassionate Friends | Coping with Christmas (tcf.org.uk)

 

Winston’s Wish

Winston’s Wish provides particular support for bereaved children, young people and families

Coping with grief at Christmas | Winston’s Wish (winstonswish.org)

Support through your child’s liver journey

This is an introductory leaflet when your child has received a diagnosis. It covers areas such as:

  • Medical care and teams – what to expect
  • Looking after yourself
  • Information sources
  • Managing procedural distress
  • Going on holiday and school trips
  • Education and financial support
  • Support services you can access
  • Helpful tips from other parents.

This leaflet is designed so that you are able to be refer back to this information at a time that is suitable for you and your family.

Download Support Through Your Child’s Liver Journey PDF here

Supporting young people

This leaflet provides an overview of the key areas parents need to think about as their child is growing up. Key topics include:

  • Medication responsibilities
  • University/careers
  • Finances
  • Prescription charges
  • Transition to adult services
  • Support available for young people
  • Hints, tips and quotes from both parents and young people affected by a childhood liver condition.

Download Supporting Young People

Living without a diagnosis

All childhood liver diseases are rare but living without a diagnosis can be particularly difficult. We have updated our leaflet which contains advice and information for young people and families who are in this situation. Key topics include:

  • Why some liver conditions are difficult to diagnose
  • Tips and advice on coping and living without a diagnosis
  • Sources of support when living without a diagnosis

Download Living without a diagnosis

Joe's Liver Transplant Story

 

CLDF has produced Joe’s Liver Transplant Story to help children to understand what a liver transplant is and to learn about the processes involved.

The book is targeted at 4-8 year olds, but can also be used with younger and/or older children as a starting point for discussion. The story is designed to be used by play specialists, psychologists and parents and tells Joe’s story from liver transplant assessment right through to recovery after the transplant.

The book is suitable for: –

– Children who are going through a transplant assessment or who are on the waiting list.
– Children who have undergone a liver transplant in the past to help them understand what happened to them.
– Siblings and friends of children who have had or need a liver transplant to give them more of an insight into what will happen or what has happened.
– Other children who would like to know more about liver transplantation.

The book is available to be ordered by:-

– Parents
– Friends and families of children requiring liver transplantation.
– Healthcare professionals (including play specialists, psychologists, transplant coordinators and specialist nurses)
– Teachers
– Libraries

*If you meet one of the above categories and did not receive a book during transplant assessment, feel free to contact us for a copy for your young children.

You can order your book through the families order form, by emailing families@childliverdisease.org or calling 0121 212 6028.



     
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    If you have any questions about these resources, please email: info@childliverdisease.org