New confidential texting service for parents and carers to launch in Cardiff and the Vale

Health and Wellbeing
Written By Ceri Venners

A new confidential texting service that makes it easier for parents and carers to contact a school nurse is set to launch in Cardiff and the Vale.  

Parentline is a text message service that allows parents and carers of children aged five to 11 to contact a school nurse for confidential advice and support via text message.  

The service launched in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan on 18th April 2023 and will be available to all parents and carers with children aged five to 11, including those who are home educated.   

To contact a school nurse, text 07312 263178. Text messages will be monitored between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) and the Cardiff & Vale UHB School Nursing team aims to respond within one working day.  

A school nurse can offer help and support for a wide range of topics, including:  

  • Emotional wellbeing 

  • Day and night time wetting  

  • Soiling 

  • Healthy eating 

  • Behaviour 

  • Relationships  

The team can also arrange for you to speak with your child’s school nurse if preferred.  

Texts will not be seen outside normal working hours. If you need help before you hear back from the team, please contact your GP or dial 111.  

Parentline supports text messages from UK mobile numbers and does not receive voice calls or MMS picture messages. Text messages are charged at your usual rates.  

Children aged 11 to 19 can contact a school nurse for confidential advice, information and support using ChatHealth by sending a text to 07520 615 718. The service is active between 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). 

ChatHealth was developed and supported by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust in 2013 and was launched in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan by the School Nursing Team in 2019. 

 It can help with a number of issues including: 

  • Bullying 

  • Smoking 

  • Emotional Wellbeing 

  • Feeling sad or angry 

  • Exam stress 

  • Healthy eating 

  • Changes to your body 

  • Drugs 

  • Alcohol 

  • Relationships 

ChatHealth is anonymous, secure and convenient. No question will be left unanswered. 

Ceri Venners
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