Parenting Skills Programme launched in Westbourne

Last Friday the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Westminster North, Joanne Cash, visited St Stephen's School in Westbourne where a unique Parenting Skills programme is now underway.

Joanne introduced this initiative to St Stephen's School in partnership with her husband, Octavius Black, the founder of the Mind Gym. 'The Mind Gym helps people improve their performance at work through changing the way they think ,' said Joanne, ‘Why not support parents in the same way? Great parenting is at the heart of happy families and successful results at school, yet most parents learn as they go along. This scheme can help.'

The Parenting Skills Programme is a free scheme which is also being piloted in the East End and in Northern Ireland. It is available to all parents and is specifically targeted at those with children of primary school age. The aim of the programme is to provide parents with a better understanding of practical ways to balance warmth and discipline so they can work with the school to get the best out of their child. Each week the parents take away a new Parent Power magazine specially designed to be used in conjunction with the classes. The programme is grounded in psychology and will measure improvements in the children's behaviour over time.

The parents are now 7 weeks through the 9 week programme and were enthusiastic to share how they have used the new techniques to help them and their child deal with conflict and get homework done. Joanne said, " A mother told me that she has stopped smacking her daughter as a result of coming to Parent Power. This is just one of the many changes parents have made as a result of taking part. I am delighted to have introduced the programme to St Stephen's School in Westbourne and congratulate the Headmaster, Paul Voural, on helping to make this such a success."

Joanne (left) pictured with the Parenting Skills session leader Jessica Chivers