Alongside our core work, we conduct targeted group work, which involves improving parent’s skills, not just emotionally, but academically. In recent years, parents have completed nationally accredited courses in Maths and English. Our program is always adapting to meet the needs of the parents involved with us at the time. If you know of a parent with specific needs, please contact a member of the team at the Family Resource Service on (01983) 814370 to discuss further.

We generally run two confident parenting groups within the St. James Centre, Newport. One is for parents/carers with children under eight years old, and the other is for over eights years old.

These groups run once a week, for two hours each session. The courses last for approximately six - ten weeks, and the parents are expected to commit their attendance at all sessions in order to achieve full benefit.

We can also provide crèche facilities for young children while the parents attend the sessions.

When the parents/carers have completed the course, our aim is to offer them an invitation to attend a networking group, which meets for ongoing support. Members of this group meet informally and sometimes identify further development needs, which we help to facilitate.

We are currently developing a young person’s group to compliment the Confident Parenting Group. It has been recognised by past group members that children within their families would benefit from completing a similar course. We aim to cover aspects such as promoting communication, improving their self-image and managing the relationship with their parents/carers.

We have a group running currently which is due to finish towards the end of November 2008. We are taking names to add to our list ready for the next block.

If you are interested, or know of any parents or carers who may like to take advantage of this group or any future groups, please contact a member of the Family Resources team on (01983) 814370 to discuss the matter further.

We are scheduled to run a group beginning early November 2008 and running till the end of December 2008. We are also taking names to add to our waiting list for future groups.

If you are interested, or know of any parents or carers who may like to take advantage of this group, contact a member of the Family Resources team on (01983) 814370 to discuss the matter further.

As you may have seen in the local press, we run sessions to allow parents of younger children (generally under 5 years of age), to visit our centre and use the facilities in the playroom. Early Years Practitioners are on hand for support, advice, and to encourage the parents/carers to interact with their children.

We have a program of activities for each week, which includes cultural events, celebrations and interesting ways to interact with your child. If you would like to know what the forthcoming events are, please contact a member of staff using the number below.

This group runs every Monday, during school terms, between 10 and 11.30am. Parents/Carers and children are welcome to pop in and play at any point during this time. We also have lots of children’s books for you to borrow from our free playroom library.

For more information on any of the above targeted group work, contact us on (01983) 814370.