Sandwell School Nursing

24/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from Sandwell School Nursing 🎄

We would like to wish all children, young people, families and school staff a very happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.

Please remember that we are still here and accessible to offer advice and support over the festive period. You can contact us via:
📱 ChatHealth: 07480 635 486
☎️ Parent Line: 07312 263 756

Please note that the service will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

We have really enjoyed working with so many children, young people, families and schools throughout the year and look forward to continuing this in the New Year ✨

23/12/2025

💚 There's a Welcoming Space here in Sandwell if you need it over Christmas and New Year.

💚 We're doing all we can to support Sandwell and there are Welcoming Spaces in some of our libraries that are open over the Christmas break.

💚 Welcoming Spaces are buildings that can provide places to sit, chat and join in the free activities. Search Sandwell Welcoming Spaces online or check the link in the comments.
Sandwell Libraries

12/12/2025

As many of you will be aware, we’re seeing an increase in flu cases both locally and nationally. Flu can spread very easily, especially in school settings. So now is a great time to make sure you and your family are protected. 💙

💉 Get the Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, your children, and the wider community.

It helps reduce the risk of severe illness

It protects vulnerable people around you

It lowers the chances of spreading flu in schools

Children eligible for the nasal flu spray will receive information through school, but you can also speak to your GP or local pharmacy about vaccination options.

🛡️ Tips to Stay Safe & Well
✔️ Encourage regular handwashing with soap and warm water
✔️ Catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue and bin it immediately
✔️ Maintain good ventilation at home where possible
✔️ Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, especially if you’re feeling under the weather or are around vulnerable people
✔️ Encourage children to avoid sharing cups or water bottles
✔️ Ensure a balanced diet, plenty of fluids, and adequate rest

If you’re concerned about symptoms or need more guidance, reliable, up-to-date information is available on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/

Let’s work together to keep our schools and community healthy this winter. ❄️💙

02/12/2025

✨ Sandwell School Nursing is sharing Sandwell’s message in support of Sandwell Stands – promoting the prevention of violence against women and girls.

Sandwell is highlighting an important message:
Three women every week are killed by men nationally – most of them by someone close to them.
Sandwell is encouraging everyone to pledge and promise to end men’s violence against women.

Sandwell is inviting the community to join the Reclaim the Night Walk in Oldbury on 08.12.2025 – a chance to reclaim our streets, our voices, and our safety as Sandwell Stands against violence towards women and girls.

💜 This event is free for everyone to attend – please reserve your space on EventBrite.
👉 LINK: www.sandwell.gov.uk/recl
If you have any concerns about yourself or someone else in relation to violence towards women and girls, please reach out to the appropriate support services.
Support services include:

In an emergency: Call 999

Non-emergency police: Call 101

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7, free and confidential)

Black Country Women’s Aid: Support for anyone affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence, or exploitation- 0121 553 0090

19/11/2025

With the recent drop in temperature and more cold weather expected, it’s important to look after yourself and stay safe.

🧣 Stay warm
Wear layers, and don’t forget hats, scarves and gloves on colder days.

💧 Keep hydrated
We still need plenty of water in winter to stay alert and healthy.

🍲 Eat well
Warming meals and fruit and veg help keep your energy and immunity up.

🧼 Prevent winter bugs
Wash hands regularly and use tissues to help stop germs spreading.

😴 Sleep matters
A steady bedtime routine helps with mood, focus and energy.

💙 Emotional health
Shorter days and darker evenings can affect how we feel. If you’re feeling low, stressed or just not yourself, talk to someone you trust. Little things like getting outside in daylight and staying active can help.

🚫 Ice safety
Frozen ponds and lakes may look solid, but ice is never safe.
Stay off frozen water and keep back from the edge.
If someone is in danger, don’t go onto the ice — call 999.

Stay warm and take care this winter. ❄️💙

19/11/2025

10/11/2025

💙 Anti-Bullying Week 2025 (10–14 November)

This week is Anti-Bullying Week! To kick things off, the Anti-Bullying Alliance is encouraging everyone to wear odd socks today to celebrate what makes us all unique. 🧦 It’s a simple and fun way to show that differences are something to celebrate.

Bullying can affect anyone, whether it happens in person or online, and it can really affect confidence and wellbeing. Sandwell School Nursing is here to listen, support, and help if you or someone you know is experiencing bullying.

💡 Ways to make a difference this week:

Be kind — even small gestures can make a big difference.

Speak up — don’t stay silent if you see bullying.

Reach out — talk to a trusted adult, teacher, or school nurse.

💬 Need support?

ChatHealth (for 11–19 year olds): Text 07480 635486

ParentLine (for parents/carers): Text 07312 263756

Here4U Drop-Ins: Pop along to your school’s drop-in session to speak to a nurse face-to-face. 💙

Learn more about Odd Socks Day here: Anti-Bullying Alliance – Odd Socks Day

05/11/2025

🎆 Bonfire Night – Have Fun and Stay Safe! 🔥

Bonfire Night is such a great time to get together with friends and family to watch fireworks and enjoy the warmth of a bonfire. There are lots of organised events happening in and around Sandwell, as well as celebrations at home – wherever you are, remember to stay safe and look out for each other. 💛

🎇 Fireworks

Watch from a safe distance – they look even better that way!

Never go near a firework once it’s been lit, even if it doesn’t go off.

Leave the lighting to adults.

✨ Sparklers

Hold sparklers at arm’s length and wear gloves if you can.

Keep them away from faces, hair and clothing.

When you’re finished, pop them in a bucket of water.

🔥 Bonfires

Stay back – fires can get really hot!

Don’t throw anything into the flames.

Keep an eye on younger children and pets.

Whether you’re heading to a local display or celebrating in your garden, have a brilliant Bonfire Night and stay safe! 🎇

For more safety tips, visit the Child Accident Prevention Trust Website 👉 https://capt.org.uk/

03/11/2025

🌿 It’s Stress Awareness Week! 🌿
It’s okay to feel stressed sometimes but what matters most, is how we manage it 💚
We’ve shared some top tips for you, and you can also try some great apps designed to help you manage stress and relax:
📱 Calm – guided meditations and sleep stories to ease stress and improve sleep
📱 Headspace – helps you train your mind for a healthier, happier life by reducing daily anxieties and stresses
📱 Breathe2Relax – a portable stress management tool that teaches simple breathing techniques

💚 Remember: you’re not alone, and help is always available.
If you’re struggling, reach out to your School Nurse via ChatHealth on 07480635486 💬

31/10/2025

Make sure your child gets their winter vaccines! Keep an eye out for their consent form. 💖

You can find out more information by visiting: https://www.schoolvaccination.uk/vaccinations

27/10/2025

🍂 It’s the first day of October Half Term!🍂

The Sandwell School Nursing Team would like to wish all our children, families and school staff a lovely, relaxing and fun-filled break! 💛✨

As Halloween approaches 🎃👻, many of you will be getting ready for trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and fancy dress fun — but it’s also important to keep everyone safe while celebrating. Here are some top tips from the Child Accident Prevention Trust to help you enjoy a safe and spooktacular Halloween:

🕯️ Keep costumes away from candles and flames – Halloween costumes can be more flammable than everyday clothes, so keep children well clear of naked flames and lit pumpkins.

🛍️ Buy costumes from reputable stores or websites and check for a UKCA or CE mark. This means the costume has met fire safety standards and will burn more slowly if exposed to flames.

🧥 Add layers underneath costumes – a layer of clothing between the costume and skin provides extra protection.

🔥 Teach children to Stop, Drop and Roll – if clothing catches fire, stop moving, drop to the ground, cover the face, and roll over to put out flames.

💡 Use LED or flameless candles instead of real ones. They look just as spooky but are much safer! If using battery-powered lights, make sure the battery compartments are secure to keep little ones safe from button batteries.

🚸 Be visible and road safe – as it gets darker earlier, add reflective tape, glow sticks or light-up accessories to costumes so children can be seen by drivers.

Have lots of fun,enjoy those treats 🍬, and have a spooktacular but safe Halloween, Sandwell! 🎃🦇👻

👉 Find more advice from the Child Accident Prevention Trust here: https://capt.org.uk/halloween/

17/10/2025

🎉 Today we’re celebrating ! 🥗 Healthy bodies begin with healthy foods. 🌱
Check out this fun and educational activity book by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
📘 https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/7c280b0b-e4bb-4a65-a216-f1d15be7ad8d/content