Working to improve the social, emotional, mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Cornwall
For parents and carers
A parents guide to the Start Now 10 - 13 website
The Start Now website was created by young people in Cornwall for young people in Cornwall nearly 7 years ago.
We've now worked with young people, parents & carers, school staff and colleagues to give the site a complete refresh. A refresh that has created two sites:
Start Now is focused on supporting children and young people in Cornwall to:
- understand that we all have ups and downs in our wellbeing sometimes
- understand 'it's OK not to be OK' but also to know when / where to ask for help
- find trusted and reliable help easily
- feel confident about asking for help
Why a site for 10 - 13 year olds?
Our 10–13 section has been designed especially for those in upper primary and early secondary school — a time filled with change, pressure, questions, and new experiences.
Children aged 10–13 often start dealing with things like:
- SATs and school pressures
- Transition to secondary school
- Friendship changes, online life and early social media use
- Worries about growing up, emotions and wellbeing
The site helps by offering:
- Clear, age-appropriate information about these topics
- Simple guides on how to ask for help
- Signposting to trusted local support in Cornwall
- Tips, videos and activities to understand feelings and build confidence
The site is created with local young people to make sure it feels relevant, supportive, and easy to use.
How parents and carers can use it
We encourage parents and carers to:
- Explore the site together with your child
- Check that they know where it is and what it’s for
- Use it as a starting point for conversations about school, friendships, emotions, or worries
- Revisit it whenever changes or challenges come up
Start Now Cornwall is a safe, supportive space designed to help young people feel informed, confident, and able to reach out when they need to.
