COUPLE therapy charity Tavistock Relationships is holding a free Alternative Parents Evening online on Monday 8 November, 7.15pm to 8.30pm, for parents who are feeling under pressure and need relationship support.
The session, which will outline some of the challenges parents are facing and the free support that is available, will be hosted by Sarah Ingram, Director of Tavistock Relationships’ Reducing Parental Conflict programme (funded by the Department for Work & Pensions), and relationship therapist Amanda Hart.
Tavistock Relationships recently undertook a YouGov survey and published a report looking at the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on couples, families and children*. Forty per cent of all those surveyed (2,093 people) said the pandemic has caused additional stress for their children and wider family, and 73 per cent said children in families where their parents are in conflict could be helped if their parents seek relationship support.
Sarah Ingram, Director of Tavistock Relationships’ Reducing Parental Conflict programme, explains:
“We know that the pandemic has increased pressure for many families, concerned about jobs, finances, health and education. Stress can lead to tensions frequently boiling over and increase 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 inviting parents in Thurrock, whether together or apart, who are arguing more and seeing a changes in their child’s behavior, to come to our free online parents evening to find out more about the free parenting support that is available.”
To register for free, parents should go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-alternative-parents-evening-november-tickets-176379625207
Spaces are limited, so people are urged to sign up early.
Free support is available for Thurrock parents experiencing relationship and parenting problems.
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 adds: “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://tavistockrelationships.org/p-together or by calling 020 7380 6099.
