Your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing matters. This section summarises support from Peterborough City Council, the NHS and other organisations.
If you have questions, speak to your Personal Advisor or contact the Care Leaver Local Offer Lead.
Our offer and support
Before you turn 18
Your Social Worker will help you with your health passport. This is a document containing your health history, including vaccination records, dental history, and other medical information.
After you turn 18
Your Personal Advisor will support you with:
- Registering with a GP, dentist and optician
- Accessing mental health services
- Accessing sexual health services
- Financial support for prescription costs if you are not eligible for free NHS prescriptions
- Free therapy and counselling (see mental health support section below for details)
Your Personal Advisor can also help you get a free gym pass for Vivacity leisure centres in Peterborough, including:
- Hampton Leisure Centre
- Bushfield Leisure Centre
- Werrington Leisure Centre
- Jack Hunt Swimming Pool
- Stanground Academy (weekends only)
- The Lido (off-peak access)
Celebrating
Care Leavers up to the age of 21 can receive a birthday allowance of £50 for their 18th, 19th and 20th birthdays, and £100 for their 21st birthday.
Additionally, a festival allowance of £50 is available for Care Leavers aged 17 to 21 to support the celebration of religious or cultural festivals such as Eid or Christmas.
If you need support with religious items, you can collect Bibles, prayer mats and Qur'ans from the Care Leavers Hub free of charge.
Please contact your Personal Advisor or the Leaving Care Team at LeavingCare@peterborough.gov.uk to access this.
Mental health support
BetterHelp and Concrete Rose partnership offer
We currently have an offer available from Concrete Rose, in partnership with BetterHelp, for up to six months of free online therapy for Care Leavers in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
- Complete the short sign-up questionnaire using the Concrete Rose link above
- If you're eligible, you'll be emailed with next steps and given a referral code
- You'll be asked to create an account in the BetterHelp app and enter your referral code
- You'll usually be matched with a counsellor within 48 to 72 hours
- You can message your therapist, book sessions, and track your progress (for example, using the in-app journal)
We at Peterborough City Council do not receive any information about your sign-up, appointments or progress. This support is provided by BetterHelp (via Concrete Rose) and is separate from Peterborough City Council services.
Centre 33
Centre 33 offers free, confidential support for young people up to the age of 25. They cover mental health, housing and sexual health.
- Phone: 0333 4141 809
- Text/WhatsApp: 07514 783745
- Email: hello@centre33.org.uk
- Visit the Centre 33 Peterborough website
Terrence Higgins Trust
The Terrence Higgins Trust can provide support with HIV and STI testing, advice and LGBTQ+ support groups. They are located at Aspire Recovery, 102-104 Bridge Street, Peterborough, PE1 1DY.
Visit the Terrence Higgins Trust Peterborough website.
Kooth
Kooth is a free anonymous platform for mental health support. Its offer includes live chat, forums and self-help resources.
Keep Your Head
Keep Your Head is a website offering local mental health resources, self-help guides, and service directories for young people.
Visit the Keep Your Head website.
The Kite Trust
The Kite Trust supports LGBTQ+ young people through group sessions, one-to-one support, and events.
- Phone: 01223 369508
- Email: info@thekitetrust.org.uk
- Visit The Kite Trust website
- Join The Kite Trust using their online form
Lifeline Plus
Lifeline Plus is a mental health and wellbeing helpline for people aged 18+ in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. It is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm.
Further information on mental health support in Peterborough
Visit the Peterborough Information Network for more information on mental health support available locally.
Please note: Being on Universal Credit does not automatically entitle you to free NHS treatment, so always check your eligibility with your Personal Advisor, as it can change depending on your income, circumstances, and when you access support.
Accessing your care records
Children's Services must keep records of your care history for 75 years. From age 18, you can request access to your records via a Subject Access Request.
How to request your records:
- Complete the Subject Access Request form on our website
- Email the complete form to foi@peterborough.gov.uk
We strongly recommend discussing this with your Personal Advisor before applying. Accessing your care records can be an emotional process. If you have concerns after receiving your records, contact the Care Leaver Local Offer Lead.
Additional support
NHS entitlements
You may qualify for free prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests. Check what help you could get to pay NHS costs.
Sexual health services
iCASH Peterborough offers:
- C-Card Scheme (free condoms for young people)
- Chlamydia testing
- Contraception and emergency contraception
- HIV testing and care
- STI testing and treatment
- Sexual health advice and support
Visit the iCASH Peterborough website.
You can collect C-Card condoms and Chlamydia test kits from various locations in Peterborough.
Visit the iCASH Peterborough website to order kits and tests.
Learning disabilities and learning difficulties
If you need support with learning disabilities or difficulties, there are resources available to assist you. Mencap provides useful information and support for individuals with learning disabilities, including advice on independent living, employment, and accessing services. If you think you may have a learning disability or difficulty, it’s important to speak with your GP.
To find out more about learning disabilities and the support available, visit the Mencap website.
Contact the Leaving Care Team
Phone: 07773 576469
Email: leavingcare@peterborough.gov.uk