Winter is a time when many young children suffer from winter viruses and chest infections. This can be worrying for parents and carers, but help is at hand! The ‘Boloh’ helpline, run by Barnardo’s and funded by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, is a safe space for families with young children experiencing coughs, colds and chest infections this winter.
Helpline Advisors speak a range of languages including English, Punjabi, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Albanian and Polish. Callers can also access interpreters when required. Staff do not provide clinical advice but have been trained by health professionals to signpost callers to the right medical support when needed.
You can access the Boloh helpline by phone 0800 151 2605 (free from mobiles and landlines), web chat and email Boloh – the Black and Asian family Helpline | BAME Helpline (barnardos.org.uk)
The helpline is open: Monday – Friday from 10am -8pm, Saturday from 10am – 3pm
The helpline also provides practical and emotional support and can help callers access health services and find community support with:
- registering with a GP
- contacting NHS 111
- mental health and well-being services
- support for young people
- linking to online information
- accessing devices to support learning, food items, clothing and other practical needs.