MANY parents are struggling to cope with a full house, isolation, money and job security worries, and continued anxiety surrounding the pandemic.
Thanks to funding from the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), Tavistock Relationships is delivering a free ‘Parenting Together’ programme to support parents in a number of local authority areas, including Thurrock.
Currently provided online, ‘Parenting Together’ offers help to couples with children, whether living together or apart, divorced or separated, who are experiencing relationship and parenting problems.
Sarah Ingram, head of the ‘Parenting Together’ programme for Tavistock Relationships, explains:
“We have already been able to support 28 families in Thurrock, through our free Parenting Together programme, with 37 children benefiting. Eight couples who attended our course were still together, while 20 were separated and co-parenting apart.
“We’d like to be able to help more parents who are struggling to cope with the pressures of parenting and the pandemic. Stress can lead to tensions frequently boiling over, and lockdown has increased conflict between parents – both together and separated.
“Research shows us that sustained conflict between parents can have a negative effect on children’s development in terms of mental and physical health. They can experience problems at school, sleep difficulties and problems with the relationships they make themselves as they grow up.
“We are keen to reach out to parents to let them know that help is available – and at no cost to them. We are here to support parents feeling under extra pressure, both as a parent and within their relationship, whether together or separated.
“We can help parents experiencing rows and arguments that get stuck or become out of control, which they cannot sort out by themselves.
“‘Parenting Together’ is a free and flexible support service for parents, providing one-to-one or group professional advice sessions to parents. These sessions enable parents to find ways to manage stresses and disagreements, exploring patterns of behaviour, as well as tools and techniques to improve parenting skills and help their family succeed.
“Our trained therapists are able to work remotely and flexibly with Thurrock parents, at a time to suit them, whether it’s in the evening or in the daytime.”
Couples and families can apply for free support direct at https://www.tavistockrelationships.org/p-together or by calling 020 7380 1960.
