Darlington 0-19 Growing Healthy Team

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

📖 Every story shared helps a child learn.

This International Literacy Day, take a few minutes to read, sing or tell a story together. You do not need any special resources. Your voice, your time and your child’s imagination are a wonderful place to start. 💛

What will you read together today?

06/09/2026

📚For National Read a Book Day📚
Why not visit your local library and discover a new story together?

Libraries are welcoming community spaces where families can explore books, e-books, audiobooks and activities, often completely free.
Let your child choose something they love and enjoy a few quiet minutes of reading together. ✨

What book are you reading at the moment?

04/09/2026

Night feeds keeping you up? 😴 Don't worry - you're not alone. The National Breastfeeding Helpline UK are open 24/7 to offer support if you need to chat with someone about feeding over the weekend.

04/09/2026

Good sexual health is part of looking after your overall health and wellbeing.

• Healthy relationships start with respect and consent.
• Knowing about contraception and STI prevention helps you make informed choices.

👉 Find confidential sexual health advice and services through the NHS — search for NHS sexual health.

03/09/2026

💉 Is your child starting Year 8?

The NHS HPV vaccine is offered to all children in Year 8 and helps protect against HPV-related cancers later in life.

👧👦 Offered to boys and girls
💉 Usually just one dose
🏫 Normally given through school
📋 Look out for information and a consent request from your child’s school or school-age immunisation team

Missed the HPV vaccine when it was offered? Catch-up vaccination is also available.

👉 Find out more: Search NHS HPV vaccine / https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine

02/09/2026

🚽 Is your child starting Reception this September?

As part of the Best Start in Life campaign, we're sharing advice to help children get ready for school, including tips on toilet training.

Learning to use the toilet on their own can take time and practice. Every child learns at their own pace.

Find simple tips to help your child feel confident and ready for school:

👉 Read More https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/toddler/potty-training-your-child/ -to-start-potty-training

01/09/2026

🎒 Getting ready to go back to school?

Returning to earlier mornings can be tricky after the holidays. A calm and consistent bedtime routine can help children and young people feel rested and ready for the school day.

🌙 Bring bedtime forward gradually
📵 Have some screen-free time before bed
📖 Choose a calm activity
⏰ Keep bedtime and wake-up times consistent

Small changes can make a difference, but remember that every family is different.

For local health and wellbeing advice and support, visit the HDFT Children’s Health Service website and select your area:

Find your local service

31/08/2026

Bank holiday ideas that don’t need a big budget 💛
Looking for something simple to do with the children over the bank holiday?
Try:

a nature treasure hunt
pavement chalk
library books
a garden picnic
den building
water play
a walk with “spot the…” challenges

Simple things still count. Sometimes they’re the bits children remember most.