Below are a list of national and regional organisations that offer services, help, or support and guidance for a large range of health issues.
Each service entry has a link to the organisation's own website where you will be able to find further information about what that particular service or organisation has to offer.
Please note: Services or organisations within the North East Region that provide information or support specifically for children and young people will have a record within the main Local Offer Health section of the website, rather than being listed here.
This section will take some time to be fully populated with information, so please bear with us while we try to get as much information on here for you as we can.
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African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT)
a charity committed to helping provide hope to patients living with blood cancer and other illnesses where a matched donor (stem cell, blood or organ) is required to save a life.
Anxiety UK
is run by sufferers and ex-sufferers of anxiety disorders.
Arthritis Care
whether you’ve been recently diagnosed with arthritis, living with it for some while or think you may have the early signs, Arthritis Care are there for you.
ASSIST Trauma Care
is a specialist Third Sector (Not-for-Profit) Organisation offering therapeutic help to adults and children, individuals and families, affected by a wide range of traumatic occurrences.
Association for Glycogen Storage Disease (UK) Ltd
provides support to help you and your family if you are affected by Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD).
Asthma UK
works to stop asthma attacks and, ultimately, cure asthma by funding world leading research and scientists, campaigning for change and supporting people with asthma to reduce their risk of a potentially life threatening asthma attack.
ATAXIA UK
are a national charity for people with Ataxia, their families and carers. We provide support and aim to find treatments and cures.
Ataxia-Telangiectasia Society
provide information and practical support to everyone living with Ataxia-Telangiectasia. We also arrange transport and accommodation for people attending the specialist clinics.
AVERT
are an international charity who provide a variety of funded projects help prevent HIV and AIDS worldwide. Our comprehensive website provides information on HIV and sexual health related issues.
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Back Up
are there to inspire independence in anyone affected by spinal cord injury and to encourage everyone to get the most from their lives.
Beat
is the UK's leading charity supporting anyone affected by eating disorders and difficulties with food, weight and shape.
Bipolar UK Newcastle Self Help Group
is part of the national charity BipolarUK and provides support to bipolar sufferers by helping them to build confidence, lead a better life, understand their medication, and remain positive.
Bladder and Bowel Foundation
is the UK wide charity for people with bladder and bowel control problems. B&BF provides information and support services, including a confidential helpline, for anyone affected by these conditions as well as their families, carers and healthcare professionals.
Bloodwise
are a UK charity dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Our life-saving research is focused on finding causes, improving diagnosis and treatments, and running groundbreaking clinical trials for all blood cancer patients.
Blue Sky Trust
provide HIV support groups and HIV one-to one-support in the home or community.
Body Positive North East
offer support and advice to help you whether you are unsure about your HIV status, have just found out or are living with HIV. We also support parents and families who are affected by HIV
The Brain Tumour Charity
offer a confidential support and information service if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Our trained helpline team are here to give you support and information.
Breath Easy Support Groups - British Lung Foundation (North Region)
provide support and information for people living with a lung condition, and for those who look after them.
British Acoustic Neuroma Association - BANA
provide information and support to people who are affected by acoustic neuroma and their families. An acoustic neuroma is a type of brain tumour which affects hearing.
British Association for Music Therapy
are the professional body for music therapists and a source of information, support and involvement for the general public. Music therapy is widely used to help people whose lives have been affected by injury, illness or disability. The title music therapist can only be used by those registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
British Porphyria Association
The porphyrias are a group of eight relatively rare genetic disorders. Although the disorders can in some cases be very severe, there are many reasons to be optimistic and with the right information, many sufferers can live absolutely normal lives.
The British Porphyria Association can provide you and your family with an emotional support system and provide you with contacts for doctors and specialists.
British Red Cross Independent Living
are a charity who help people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. They have a range of services in the North East which can help people with disabilities or illnesses.
British Thyroid Foundation
offer information and support for thyroid sufferers or health professionals who are looking for up-to-date information on thyroid disorders.
British Tinnitus Association
can help you understand more about Tinnitus and coping strategies.
Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland
aim to improve the quality of life for those who have a progressive life limiting illness
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aim to improve the quality of life for all those affected and create greater awareness of cerebral cavernous malformation.
Challenging Behaviour Foundation
are the charity for people with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges
is a leading UK charity focusing on growth and endocrine problems.
Children's Chronic Arthritis Foundation
provides emotional and practical support to children, young people and their families who are affected by Juveile Idiopathis Arthritis (JIA).
a parent-led charity working with partner groups to make life better for children and young people, with acquired or congenital heart disease, in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
is the UK's leading charity for children with brain injury.
is an independent charity with expertise in coeliac disease and the gluten free diet. They fund critical research into coeliac disease, provide trustworthy advice and support to our members, and fight for better availability of gluten free food.
is a UK charity that provides support, reassurance and practical advice to anyone who has or is about to have stoma surgery.
The Communication Trust Local Offer
is a coalition of over 50 not-for-profit organisations. Working together they support everyone who works with children and young people in England to support their speech, language and communication.
The community and specialist nurses support and advise children and families with specific illnesses and conditions.
provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability.
CORE (formerly Digestive Disorders Foundation)
the only charity in the UK committed to fighting all digestive conditions. Core does this in 3 key ways: Funds vital research that develops new treatments and saves lives, Provids expert information for people affected , their families and their carers and Promotes awareness and discussion about digestive health.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Support Network
is a UK charity providing emotional and practical support for all strains of CJD and for those who are at greater risk of CJD.
UK’s leading charity in the battle against Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation (COB Foundation)
gives support to people with all forms of cystitis, overactive bladder and continence issues together with their families and friends.
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Dancing Eye Syndrome Support Trust (DESST)
The Dancing Eye Syndrome Trust provides support and information to families of children with Dancing Eye Syndrome.
Deaf child, young people and family service (Deaf CAMHS - northern region)
Provides a specialist mental health service for deaf children with a range of emotional, behavioural and developmental problems.
A national charity that supports individuals and families affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).
Depression UK is a National Self-Help Organisation that helps people cope with their depression.
DBA UK delivers support, research and hope to the DBA community in the UK by bringing families together, communicating the latest medical information and funding research into causes and cures.
A leading national charity, providing innovative care, rehabilitation and support solutions for people with profound physical impairments, acquired brain injury and learning disabilities as well as children and adults with autism.
The Disabilities Trust (incorporating the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust)
Provides the best quality neurobehavioural rehabilitation for people with complex and challenging needs after brain injury.
A registered charity promoting inclusion, independence and choice for disabled people and their families by providing information, advice and support on any aspect of disability.
Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood
A charity providing both disabled parents and professionals with information and support on disability and parenthood.
The leading organisation for the help and support of all people with Down’s Syndrome and their families and friends.
Offers advice and information on specific learning difficulties and dyslexia.
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A Website where people can find ‘accessible’ health information. ‘Accessible’ information is information that uses easy words with pictures.
A charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people whose lives are affected by Ectodermal Dysplasia (ED).
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Support Group
Offers support to anybody touched by Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Provides support to individuals and families who are living with encephalitis.
A community of people committed to a better life for everyone affected by epilepsy. Wanting high quality, accessible epilepsy healthcare services, so that people with epilepsy have the support they need to manage their condition.
A charity based in Hartlepool which provides free and confidential practical support, advice and information for people with epilepsy and their carers.
A UK based organisation offering advice, information and support to families affected by Erb’s Palsy.
ERIC (Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence)
A charity dedicated to the bowel and bladder health of all children and teenagers in the UK.
Esteem Home Care - Esteem Home Care Services CIC
We Monitor,inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and we publish what we find, including performance ratings to help people choose care.
F
Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FMD)
As support group to help improve the quality of life for those who have Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSH-MD).
To help support sufferers of FD and their families
Provide information and support to individuals and families affected by Fragile X Syndrome, as well as the professionals working with them.
Services at the Freeman Hospital range from general surgery, hip and knee replacement and digital hearing aids, through to the latest developments in restoring hearing or treating complex liver, pancreatic and kidney diseases.
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To support those individuals and their families affected by Gaucher disease through our paitent and family advocacy service.
Guillain-Barre & Associated Inflammatory Neuropathies (GAIN)
We help people living in the UK and Ireland who have been affected by Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and other associated inflammatory neuropathies.
H
Is run by people affected by genetic haemochromatosis, and exists to provide benefits for people affected by genetic haemochromatosis (GH).
Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome Help - HUSH
Provides a means of communication between families affected by E.coli O157.
Hazelbrook Specialist Care at Home
Specialises in delivering high quality palliative and end of life care at home to those with a life limiting illness.
Headlines - the Craniofacial Support Group
A registered charity run by volunteer Trustees to help all those affected by Craniosynostosis and associated conditions throughout their lives.
Headway - The Brain Injury Association
A UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury.
Supporting children with heart disorders and their families, whatever the condition, wherever it is treated.
Supporting all individuals who visit the centre to feel good about themselves, build relationships, overcome barriers in their lives and develop a sense of purpose and achievement.
Helping young people with mental illnesses, adults with mental illnesses or learning difficulties, and people who have suffered a brain injury.
Offer information, support and understanding to people who hear voices and those who support them.
A modern hospital providing a full range of diagnostic services and walk-in services for urgent care. It's wards include an oncology day unit, a surgical ward for patients who have had general, orthopaedic and gynaecological surgery, a stroke rehabilitation and care of the elderly ward and a general medicine ward.
Huntingtons Disease Association (England and Wales)
Supporting people affected by Huntingtons disease and to provide information and advice to professionals.
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An information network and support structure for sufferers and families affected by ichthyosis.
Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group (IA)
A support group run by and for people with ileostomies and internal pouches with the primary aim of helping people who have had their colon removed return to a full and active life as soon as possible after surgery.
An organisation for people living with diabetes run by people living with diabetes.
International Glaucoma Association
A charity for people with glaucoma. Providing information, literature, advice and fund essential research to prevent unnecessary loss of sight through early detection, diagnosis and treatment.
A UK registered charity which aims to promote and improve the general welfare of patients, and the families of patients, with Immune Thrombocytopenia (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) by providing:Patient/parental/antenatal information and support.
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JAMI - The Jewish Association for the Mentally Ill
A mental health service for the Jewish community.
An 18 bed inpatient service specialising in mental health and deafness.
Juvenile Arthritis - kids get arthritis too!
The Arthritis Foundation leads the way in providing support to children with juvenile arthritis and their families.
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Kawasaki Disease Support Group
Raising awareness of both the illness and ourselves. We currently have over 1100 families in the group and it is expanding. We have support from the medical profession and have set up a telephone help line giving parents information and understanding.
UK leading charity dedicated to research into kidney disease in the UK.
Klinefelter Syndrome Association
The KSA offers support and information to all affected by, or having an interest in, Klinefelter’s Syndrome (KS) and XXY
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Offering a friendly team of professional, registered & insured practitioners, we are able to confidentially address your every health need.
Leukaemia CARE is a national blood cancer support charity dedicated to ensuring that anyone affected by blood cancer receives the right information, advice and support.
The leading UK charity for people with limb-loss.
An adult liver patient support group based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne.
The place to find out about adult care, support, information and advice in County Durham.
The only national registered charity supporting people with systemic lupus and discoid lupus and assisting those approaching diagnosis.
Provides information and support to those living with or affected by lymphoedema/chronic oedema.
Supporting people affected by lymphatic cancer.
M
Support those with Marfan Syndrome and their families.
McTimoney Chiropractic Association
A Professional Association for Chiropractors.
ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy) Association
Supporting people with ME/CFS through all stages of their illness.
The first meningitis patient group in the world, founders of the meningitis movement and the only charity dedicated to fighting meningitis in the UK.
Meningitis Research Foundation
Providing direct support to people and families affected by Meningitis.
Established 32 years ago by families and carers in the North East to provide support and care for people they loved with mental health problems.
Provide advice, support and practical assistance to individuals from the North East of England with an acquired brain injury and or neurological condition; focusing on their return to work, education, training or in some instances voluntary work.
Provide support, and help people affected by MS take control of their lives.
Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre
A charity which represents individual therapy centres that provide treatments, therapies, help and support to people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
A small national charity dedicated to empowering people affected by multiple sclerosis to make the most of today, and live life to the full.
Myotonic Dystrophy Support Group
A charity run by volunteers and dedicated to offering the hand of friendship and support to all those affected by Myotonic Dystrophy.
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Supporting people with narcolepsy, their families, carers and others interested in improving their quality of life
NAT is dedicated to transforming the UK's response to HIV.
They champion the rights of people living with HIV and campaign for change-shaping attitudes, challenging ​injustice, and changing lives.
National Centre for Eating Disorders
Provide effective help & treatment for sufferers. Excellence in training for professionals.
National Deaf Children's Society
The leading charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people.
The charity is run by Kidney Patients for Kidney Patients, campaigning for improvements to renal provision and treatment, and national patient support services.
Committed to helping people with osteoporosis live the lives they want to lead and working every day to prevent future fractures.
National Reye's Syndrome Foundation of the UK
The charity provide funds for research into the cause, treatment, care and prevention of Reye's syndrome and Reye-like illnesses, inform both the public and medical communities and to provide support for parents whose children have suffered from these diseases.
The National Society for Phenylketonuria (NSPKU)
Providing help and support people with PKU, their families and carers.
The Neuro Foundation (formerly the Neurofibromatosis Association)
Supporting people living with Neurofibromatosis.
New Approaches can provide support, helpful advice and information to those people affected by cancer.
The UK's biggest health website.
Supporting the commissioning of high quality services and directly commission primary care and specialised services.
Providing help to people in the North East whose lives are affected by eating distress, or eating disorders.
North East Institute of Iyengar Yoga
Dedicated to promoting the practice and understanding of Iyengar Yoga across Tyne and Wear, Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria, Teesside and North Yorkshire.
A UK based charity which supports people affected by nystagmus and leads the research into finding a treatment.
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Providing support and information to anybody affected by OCD, working to raise awareness of the disorder amongst the public and front-line healthcare workers, and striving to secure a better deal for people with OCD.
Supporting women affected by ovarian cancer and their families.
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The only UK charity to focus solely on Paget’s Disease of Bone. The Association acts as a resource for patients, carers and health professionals, offering high quality information and support services.
Funding research into the causes and treatment of human chronic pain.
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Making final decisions on complaints that have not been resolved by the NHS in England and UK government departments and other public organisations.
Patient Information Centre - Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ensuring that everyone has access to a range of useful health and wellbeing information resources.
Guys Hospital are the only designated national service for xeroderma pigmentosum. They diagnose and treat adults and children from across the UK.
The centre provides support and makes a real difference to the lives of those with physical, mental and emotional difficulties and their families and carers. The specialist Centre provides a wonderful range of sensory experiences and therapeutic and developmental opportunities and support to visitors.
Penny Brohn UK is a charity that provides free integrative care to everyone affected by cancer.
Perthes Association help and advise families of children suffering from Perthes disease and Associated conditions.
Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP)
PCP is a leading third sector organisation working in the North East, primarily in the County Durham and Tees Valley area, with a focus on health improvement and reducing health inequalities through building capacity and life chances with disadvantaged communities.
Positively UK provides peer-led support, advocacy and information to women, men and young people living with HIV to manage any aspect of their diagnosis, care and managing life with HIV
Prader-Willi Syndrome Association UK
The only charity in the UK working with those living with PWS, their families and carers, together with the myriad of professionals from health and social care, residential and education, helping everyone to manage this complex syndrome and so maximise life chances.
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance
A principal source of advice, support and information on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Pulse Community Healthcare provides the highest standard of compassionate care to support people to live as independently as possible in their own homes and communities.
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Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Neuro Rehabilitation Services
QEF helps people with complex disabilities to achieve their goals in life. We work with children and adults with physical and learning disabilities or acquired brain injuries, whether it’s learning everyday life skills, rebuilding a life affected by brain injury, or acquiring the skills to drive a specially adapted car, we support them to fulfil their potential.
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Rainbow Trust Children's Charity
The leading organisation providing emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.
Raynaud's and Scleroderma Association
The only UK Charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with Scleroderma and Raynaud's phenomenon.
Ready for Change Now (Heather Carter)
Heather Carter is a Life Coach, EFT Practitioner and motivational trainer. She works face to face, via telephone, VOIP, email, workshops and teleclasses to help clients overcome personal blocks and limiting beliefs, clearing mental, physical or emotional blocks to create the life you really want.
Relapsing Polychondritis Support Group
Supporting and advocating research, providing patient and family assistance, educating the general public and medical communities, and increasing awareness and support of Relapsing Polychondritis.
Restless Legs Syndrome UK - RLS-UK
RLS UK is committed to raising awareness of RLS; to providing information and support to those living with RLS; and to improving the quality of RLS care in the UK.
Rett UK - Family Support Manager
Rett UK is the only UK charity which provides professional support to people living with Rett syndrome across the UK.
Royal College of Psychiatrists - Publications
RCPsych Publications publishes a wide range of books on mental health for both psychiatrists and the general public.
A respected medical research charity and a nationwide organisation providing support and information to help patients live with RP and fund cutting edge research into the causes of and potential treatments for the disease.
Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome Support Group
A charity offering support to families and carers of those affected by Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (RTS); and raising awareness of RTS amongst the medical community and the general population.
Russell Silver Syndrome and Sotos Syndrome - Child Growth Foundation
Child Growth Foundation supports and encourages all children or adults with growth disorders, and their families, in every waythey can. They also promote and fund research into the causes and cure of growth and endocrine disorders, and publish the results.
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SANE is a leading UK mental health charity. They work to improve quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness.
SignHealth is a charity dedicated to making sure Deaf people get the same sort of access as hearing people to healthcare and health information.
Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases
The Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases (MPS Society) is a registered UK charity providing professional support to individuals and families affected by MPS and related Lysosomal Storage Diseases throughout the UK.
Spacekraft develop and manufacture a full range of sensory products that provide genuine solutions to meet the changing needs of our customers.
Speakeasy - Relationship and sex education
The Speakeasy course offers a flexible and relaxed way for parents and carers to gain greater confidence in an area that can cause embarrassment and awkwardness.
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Information Networking Equality - SHINE
Shine provides specialist support from before birth and throughout the life of anyone living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, as well as to parents, families, carers and professional care staff.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Support UK
An established charity that supports and empowers anyone affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy. We are advocates for better services and access to new treatments, raise public awareness and fund research-related initiatives.
STARS - Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures
Working together with individuals, families and medical professionals to offer support and information on syncope and reflex anoxic seizures.
Steps is the national charity working for all those whose lives are affected by childhood lower limb conditions.
Sturge Weber UK is a voluntary support group for families and adults affected by Sturge Weber syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.
Sunderland Royal Hospital is a 970-bedded acute hospital which is part of City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.
Support Dogs - Assisting Disabled People
Support Dogs is a national charity dedicated to increasing independence and quality of life for people with various medical conditions. We provide, train and support specialist assistance dogs to achieve this.
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Tees, Esk and Wear Valley's NHS Foundation Trust
TEWV provides a range of mental health, learning disability and eating disorders services around County Durham, the Tees Valley, Scarborough, Whitby, Ryedale, Harrogate, Hambleton, Richmondshire and the Vale of York.
The UK Thalassaemia Society is involved in direct Welfare of Patients and provides Counselling services to sufferers and parents alike.
Treacher Collins Family Support Group
The Treacher Collins Family Support Group offer support, friendship and advice to Treacher Collins families and individuals. They help develop a clear policy on areas such as facial surgery, hearing aids and genetic counselling for Treacher Collins families and individuals.
Tree Tops Children's Occupational Therapy Limited
Tree Tops has been developed with great foundations in the knowledge of assessment and treatment techniques of children. Their dedicated therapists have extensive knowledge into conditions of DCD, Dyspraxia, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorders.
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Unique - Understanding Chromosome Disorders
A support group that informs, supports and alleviates the isolation of anyone affected by a rare chromosome disorder and to raise public awareness.
University Hospital of North Durham
Highly skilled consultants, doctors, nurses, midwives and other clinical staff provide a wide range of medical, surgical, emergency and community services, as well as a range of paediatric, neonatal and specialist services.
The Urostomy Association (UA) was formed to assist people who are about to undergo or who have undergone surgery resulting in a urinary diversion/ileal conduit.
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Supporting those suffering from vasculitis diseases and their families by providing information and advice.
Vietnamese Mental Health Services
Providing services to people from Vietnam with mental health difficulties and their families living in the UK.
A small, national charity whose main aim is to support people with vitiligo.
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Williams Syndrome Foundation Ltd
William Syndrome Foundation is the first point of contact for individuals with Williams Syndrome, their families and professionals needing support and information regarding the Syndrome.
Promoting health, education, social and elderly care.
Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome Trust
To support everyone affected by Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome and to promote awareness and understanding of this rare genetic disorder.
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The UK’s leading charity committed to improving the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people