CAMHS Parent/Carer Support Group

A new support group for parents/carers!

We are excited to let you know that we have updated our parent care participation strategy and refreshed our parenting support groups. To mark this development we are changing the name and asking for this to be guided by current parent and carers.

We are delighted to employ parent carer peer support workers who are qualified peer support workers with lived experience of parenting children who have mental health challenges.

This is a new development – however, none of this would have been possible without our pioneering Fresh Plus parents who over 10 years ago recognised the need for CAMHS to support parents as well as children and the need to recognise parents for all they bring and reduce stigma towards parents who children access CAMHS.

The inaugural parent conference was revolutionary at the time and we are planning a 2026 Parent Conference to celebrate all that has been achieved. Thank you Nikki Chapman and Fresh Plus for starting this movement!

For now please do get involved to help us name our support so it work for parents and carers and help us know how to develop our services in partnership with parents and carers as well as offering peer led, professionally supported parent support groups.

CAMHS Parent/Carer Support Drop-in Sessions

Whether your young person is currently in CAMHS, on the waitlist, or has previously accessed our service, we welcome you to join us for a cuppa and chat at any of our new drop-in support groups. These groups are led by our Parent and Carer Peer Support Team (NO BOOKING REQUIRED).

Online via Teams

Monday from 12.30pm to 2pm on the following dates:

2nd and 16th February 2026
2nd and 16th March 2026
20th April 2026

Liverpool Innovation Park

Liverpool Innovation Park, Edge Lane, Liverpool, L7 9NG.

Tuesday from 9.30am to 11.30am on the following dates:

3rd and 17th February 2026
3rd and 17th March 2026
7th and 21st April 2026

Blossom House

Blossom House (Alder Park), 37 Park Road, Liverpool, L22 3XG.

Wednesday from 10am to 12pm on the following dates:

11th and 25th of February 2026
11th and 25th March 2026
15th and 29th April 2026

Contact us

If you have any questions for us, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Resources for families

CAMHS Crisis Care line – If you need urgent help or support for your child call 0151 293 3577 or 08081 963 550 (freephone). Lines are open 24/7 for parents/carers, children and young people (under 18) living in Liverpool or Sefton.
https://www.alderhey.nhs.uk/services/mental-health-hub/camhs-crisis-care/

MERSEY CARE Liverpool and Sefton – Anyone aged 16 and over, needing urgent mental health support, call the 24/7 freephone helpline: 0800 145 6570. https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/urgent-help

SHOUT – free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. For under 18’s text GREEN to 85258 to start a conversation. For over 18’s text HEAL to 85258.
https://www.liverpoolcamhs.com/…/new-text-message…/

KOOTH – free, anonymous, confidential, safe online wellbeing service, offering professional support, information and forums for children & young people.
www.kooth.com

QWELL – Kooth for adults.
www.qwell.io

PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 – a confidential support and advice service for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Lines are open 24 hours every day of the year. Call: 0800 068 4141 or text: 07860 039 967
https://www.papyrus-uk.org/papyrus-HOPELINE247/

PAPYRUS – Guide for Parents & Carers of a young person who is struggling with thoughts of suicide.
https://www.papyrus-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Supporting-Your-Child-A5-Booklet-English-2023.pdf

The Charlie Waller Trust – Free mental and emotional wellbeing resources for parents, carers and young people.
https://www.charliewaller.org/

THIS MAY HELP – Series of short advice videos on a range of mental health related topics. Co-produced by Parents and Carers and professionals.
https://thismayhelp.me

YoungMinds – A wide range of information, resources and support for parents/carers and young people about mental health and wellbeing.
www.youngminds.org.uk

MindEd – safe and reliable advice about young peoples mental health, created by experts and parents together.
https://www.mindedforfamilies.org.uk/young-people

BEAT – The UK’s leading eating disorder charity. They offer a helpline, web chat, information, resources, training, and online peer support groups for anyone affected by eating disorders.
Helpline: 0808 801 0677 (free to call from all phones) – 3pm – 8pm every day of the year.
Email: [email protected]
www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

National Self Harm Network (NSHN)
Survivor-led closely monitored online support forum for people who self harm, and their friends and families.
www.nshn.co.uk

Alumina (previously Selfharm UK) – A free online 7 week course for 10-17 year olds struggling with self harm. The course is run by trained counsellors and is a safe, non-judgemental space for young people to reflect on their journey and what their next step might be towards a life free of self harm. The website also provides lots of useful information and resources.
www.selfharm.co.uk

The Mix – support for under 25’s on any topic that affects young people today. Their mission is to empower every young person to make an informed choice about their wellbeing; whether that’s through their peer-led and moderated community, one-to-one webchat, email support, counselling service, crisis support messenger or range of support content.
Crisis Support Messenger: text ‘THEMIX’ to 85258
themix.org.uk

A new support group for parents/carers!