Cornwall Council is launching a new free programme for any parent or carer who wants to better understand and support their children’s emotions, as well as their own.
The Supporting Parents and Children Emotionally programme, or SPACE, is a collaboration between Together for Families and Headstart Kernow and will offer a mixture of FREE online and face-to-face courses from the end of April through until June 17.
Best Start in Life coordinator for Cornwall Council, Ness Little, said: “We are coming off the back of a particularly tough two years with children missing out on school, being placed in and out of lockdowns due to the global pandemic.
“The aim of this programme is to give parents and carers the tools they need to understand, support and build resilience, not only in their children, but in themselves.”
Parents and carers will learn what is meant by a ‘trauma-informed’ approach, how to identify toxic stress and fight/flight responses, how to manage different emotions, and tools for building resilience.
Online sessions will run from Monday, April 26 and parents can book into any of the below dates or times:
- Now - 24th May - 9.30 - 10.30
- 12th May - 9th June - 9.30 - 10.30
- 12th Mat - 9th June 19.30 - 20.30
For those that don’t want to do an online session, face-to-face courses will take place at the St Austell Family Hub from May 6 to June 17 between 12.30 and 2.30pm.
Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Barbara Ellenbroek, said: “The impact of the pandemic has been hard for a lot of people, especially those who may have been struggling before. These courses are a great way to understand the language being used in schools, the support that is available and how best to look after yourself and the young people in your care.”
Parents who would like to register their interest or who would like to find out more are asked to contact Rosalie.smith@cornwall.gov.uk