How we can help
Parenting is best seen as a lifelong journey which involves many challenges.
We offer the following programmes:
- baby massage
- parenting in the early years
- confident parenting (five-11 years)
- teenage programme
- being a parent in prison
- ongoing support groups
- culturally specific programmes for minority ethnic groups- parenting in the Chinese and Asian communities
- fair play - sessions on talking to your children about prejudice and discrimination
- parenting facilitator training (accredited by the Northern Ireland Open College Network at level three).
What does a parenting programme involve?
- getting together with other parents once a week for 10-12 weeks
- sharing experiences and getting support from each other
- talking about your needs and experiences as a parent
- working on skills such as different approaches to managing behaviour, communication, child development and looking after yourself
- working together with Barnardo's Parenting Matters project to address the issues that are important for you
- in the past, parents have also wanted to look at issues such as drugs, alcohol, sex and sexuality, ADHD, parenting children with disabilities and parenting as a member of a minority ethnic group. These issues and others can also be covered in our programmes.
Research shows that joining a parenting programme:
- breaks down isolation
- increases confidence
- increases understanding of child’s point of view
- reminds parents that they need time and space for themselves
- encourages parents to give children appropriate responsibilities
- affirms and celebrates parents achievements
- provides the opportunity for parents to develop new skills and strategies.
Barnardo’s Parenting Matters project also have the following programmes in development:
- parenting children with ADHD
- programme for Foster carers and adoptive parents
- the baby programme (for new parents).
We also carry out campaigning and lobbying activities. Recent issues have included:
- The ‘Children are Unbeatable’ campaign against the physical punishment of children in the home
- Fair Play – Talking to your children about prejudice and discrimination
- The Burns report- the future of education in Northern Ireland
- The Children’s Strategy for Northern Ireland.
