Parents in the Inverell community will be able access an insightful, free parenting program through Pathfinders’ Inverell Family & Youth Support Services (IFYSS) starting on Thursday, October 12.
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The eight-week practical program will run every Thursday from 12:30pm to 2:30pm at the Pathfinders Inverell office and will cover topics like communication, self-esteem, trust, emotional management and more.
IFYSS coordinator Todd Cross said it was designed to provide parents the opportunity to refresh and develop their parenting skills in a relaxed, welcoming and group setting.
“We not only want to help parents develop their parenting skills but also boost their self-understanding and confidence in applying these skills with their kids,” he said.
“We’re focusing on creating a flexible, easily accessible group atmosphere so that the parents feel comfortable learning and discussing strategies to support their needs and their child’s needs.”
The Pathfinders’ IFYSS staff have achieved increased engagement from their clients who are currently participating in an internal run of the parenting program and have now opened a second program to the public.
IFYSS family worker Madeline Makim said the program is open to all parents, including intact, blended or single parent families, and caters to the individualised needs of each. She said it was inclusive of the vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.
“Parents in the community are dealing with various situations, whether they have their children at home or whether they’ve been removed, and they are sometimes hesitant to access services,” she said.
“The parenting program will be a casual and supportive way for parents to connect with one another and with our staff who can assist them in accessing other services based on their needs and the needs of their families.”
The Inverell Family & Youth Support Services provides a broad range of family, adolescent and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support services including advocacy, skills development programs, referrals to other services, courses and workshops on youth and family life, and group work development in prevention and diversion for young people identified as being at risk.
For more information on the free parenting program, contact Madeline at madelinem@pathfinders.ngo or call 0419 154 183.