Parents who may be having problems with troublesome teenagers could find help is at hand with the launch of a new course and a series drop-in sessions starting next month.
The 11-week course, which starts on November 18th and is being supported by Babergh’s Community Safety Partnership, is aimed at Hadleigh parents of children aged 11 to 16 years.
The project could be used as a pilot scheme which may be rolled out across the district if it is successful.
Funding for the course has come from the Babergh East Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) – which covers an area from Shotley to Hadleigh.
It is part pf a range of projects being focused in Hadleigh as indicators suggest the town has the greatest need for support in relation to parenting, getting young people back into education, training or employment and engaging with the needs of young people generally.
The course will focus on supporting parents by helping them to understand a teenager’s development process, enhancing listening skills, demonstrating practical coping strategies, dealing with confrontation and wide range of other issues, like drugs and sexual health.
Ann Scott, Babergh’s Community Safety Officer, said: “We would urge anyone who is a parent of a teenager and feels like they may need additional help, support or would just like to share their experiences with other parents, to come along to the course.
”The course is really aimed at supporting the parent, maybe just by providing an alternative viewpoint, because we all know it is one of the hardest jobs there is – and it doesn’t come with a ready-made rule book and manual!”
Ms Scott added that because the funding has come from the LSP the course is limited to Hadleigh residents but if the course is successful further funding could be sought to try and run future ones across the district.
Drop-in coffee sessions for parents are also being run for those who feel they don’t want formal support through the course but would like to talk to other parents and professionals about anything teen-related. Sessions through November run on the 5th, 12th and 19th from 1.15pm to 3.15pm at Hadleigh’s Guildhall.
Anyone who is interested in attending the course, should contact Ann Scott, Community Safety Officer, on (01473) 826616 or email: ann.scott@babergh.gov.uk to book a place. ENDS
|