Alex wisely recognises that increased use of positive behaviour management strategies will build emotional wellbeing and enhanced learning in the children and enrich the teacher’s work.
The Family Nurturing Uganda group (FNU) is launched and becomes official (website www.freewebs.com/familylinkuganda). George’s passion for the NP has drawn 25 men and 12 women together. Without men it cannot succeed – in the UK we can rarely draw men into “parenting” work. Their enthusiasm was evident when following a long day’s work all 40 came for 3 evening training sessions. I came to the view that they were exceptional in their conviction that the nurturing approach is the way forward for Ugandan families. They were also exceptional in challenging the widely accepted patriarchal family structures which can deny many women and children their equal rights.
“Although everyone I worked with used the English language, there could be different cultural understandings/meanings and use of language, and therefore only the FNU could disseminate the NP in Uganda in a culturally sensitive way. My role was to ensure that they understood its subtleties and power so they could translate it safely into Uganda. This realization brought home to me the importance of international exchanges so only through shared learning can we develop deeper understanding and respect for each others differences, and similarities, valuing the richness of cultural lifestyles and intrinsic values”.
- The wonderful Pegasus teachers (you should have seen them teaching maths to 150 children). And their most profound memory?: The candlelight discussion (electricity overload) when the FNU group talked about their childhood memories of being on the receiving end of very harsh parenting styles and how they hoped for a kinder more nurturing world – as do we in the UK.
My impressions of Uganda: every sense bombarded with red-orange soil and dust; working in energy sapping high temperatures; the noise of violent rain storms; the scary pothole-riddled roads and impetuous driving style; beautiful women walking with bananas piled on their heads; the taste of simple school food cooked on outdoor stoves fuelled by wood; dinners with the warm companionship of Pegasus teachers; hundreds of children queuing for their cup of porridge; children playing freely in wide outdoor spaces; women sweeping a hotel lawn; a little girl sweeping a floor; healthy laughing children; AIDS orphans; children appallingly disabled by cerebral malaria …
Prossy and her story
… children’s commitment to learning and their appreciation of the value of school; fishermen casting their nets at dawn on Lake Victoria; the majestic Lakeland birds; vivid fruit and vegetable markets …
… miles of shanty towns with tiny kiosks integral to each dwelling selling all sorts; the lush tropical beauty which inspired Churchill to describe Uganda as “the pearl of Africa”.
- And the true gems were the warm, wonderful adults and children.
Annette would like to thank a private donor, The Sants Charitable Trust, The Bishop of Oxford and her husband Brian for their generosity which enabled this work to take place.
George and his team would like to work with families in rural areas. If you would like to help them to develop and sustain their work a donation towards a motorbike would be a wonderful gift. Cheques can be made payable to: The University Church of St Mary the Virgin Uganda Project and sent to: The Treasurer, University Church of St Mary the Virgin, High Street, Oxford OX1 4AH
Schools need more training and support to develop pupils’ social and emotional skills
Recent research commissioned by the government from the University of Manchester showed that the small group work strand of the government’s Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) programme for primary schools is not effective. This conclusion reflects the view of Family Links that SEAL, welcome though it is as part of the curriculum, needs to be supplemented with intensive training and support.
The Family Links Nurturing Programme model includes:
- ongoing term by term model supported by user friendly age-appropriate Classroom Handbooks;
- a whole school (not just teachers) approach and whole school training
- a parallel programme offering a 10 week course for parents
- ongoing support for link teachers
- induction trainings for new staff to each school
- ongoing top up and refresher trainings,
Chief Executive of Family Links Annette Mountford said:
“Family Links offers schools intensive training in the Nurturing Programme followed up by ongoing support, so that schools can develop social and emotional skills in children. The SEAL approach of training one teacher and sending them away with a curriculum pack cannot possibly adequately equip schools to develop in children the most important skills of all – how to build and sustain successful human relationships. ”
Further information
For more information about how your school can be trained in the Nurturing Programme, either call Family Links on 01865 401800 or Click Here
Details about the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) can be found at www.bandapilot.org.uk/primary
For more information and a copy of the research report published on 27 November 2008, see the DCSF research website http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/programmeofresearch/index.cfm?type=5
Family Links National Conference 2008
'It ain't what we do, it's the way that we do it: How the skills of parenting practitioners impact on parents and How the skills of parents impact on children' was held on Thursday 8th May 2008 at St Anne's College, Oxford.
Annette Mountford, Family Links Chief Executive, started the day with 'Family Links in focus' and Headington Partnership Iniative performed scenes from 'Secrets' based on current issues facing children and young people and then took questions.
Our guest speakers were Angela Sibson, Chief Executive of the National Academy of Parenting Practitioners and Sue Gerhardt, author of Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain. You can view Angela Sibson's presentation 'The National Academy
For Parenting Practitioners: Building a successful Academy and a thriving parenting workforce'
Paddy Keane and Sue Arthur from HMP Drake Hall spoke about the Nurturing Programme within the prison.
Lisa Philips, Gareth Pring, Liza, Emma and Mikki Reilly from Richmond, Greater London spoke about Family Links' new parent and young people programme aimed specifically at 11-18 year olds and their parents.
Parent Group Leader Training photos
Our latest photo is from a Parent Group Leader Training in Oxford which took place in February and March 2008
January 2008
Targeted Mental Health in Schools project
Family Links welcomes the Targeted Mental Health in Schools project announced on 24 January by Kevin Brennan, the Minister for Young People. This initiative, which is being piloted in 25 local authorities nationally, will provide support to some of the most vulnerable young people in schools.
Family Links' training in the Nurturing Programme equips schools to work with young people and to promote emotional health. We are looking forward to working with local authorities to support this important project. To read the press release, follow this link.
Family Links and NAPP
Family Links was delighted to welcome Angela Sibson, Chief Executive of the National Academy of Parenting Practitioners, to Oxford on 29 January.
Angela met parents on Blackbird Leys who have recently completely a Nurturing Programme Parent group, to receive first hand accounts of the impact of the Nurturing Programme on people's lives. Angela then met the team at the Family Links office and spent the afternoon finding out about Family Links and explaining how the National Academy would develop. Angela has kindly agreed to speak at the Family Links national conference on 8th May so watch this space!
December 2007
Sales of The Parenting Puzzle break our records!
In 2007 Family Links sold 10,201 copies of its acclaimed manual The Parenting Puzzle - a huge increase on previous years. Find out what everyone is talking about and order your copy online here.
Children's Poetry
Children whose parents have taken part in the Nurturing Programme in Barton, North East Lincolnshire have written poems about the difference it has made to their families. Click here to read the poems.
Harry Potter Tea Party
A party organised in aid of Family Links was a fantastic event, with 300 children and adults having afternoon tea, playing games and seeing some real-life magic in Christ Church College's Dining Hall in Oxford. One child who took part told us "It was amazing and spectacular"
Family Links Christmas Carol Service
The University Church of St Mary the Virgin, High Street, Oxford held a Christmas Carol service on Sunday 16 December at 6pm. Proceeds from the collection came to £942.50 and the service was mentioned in the Oxford Times - click here to read about it. Many thanks to everyone for their generous donations.
Family Links Parents and Teenagers Programme
Family Links' trial of a new adaptation of the Nurturing Programme for teenagers and their parents in Richmond, Greater London has been a great success. The group came together to mark the end of the course and to complete their journey together.
November 2007
Family Links Annual Dinner 2007: Are parents goodies or baddies?
Family Links dinner on Tuesday 20 November was a great success, with guests enjoying speeches from Fiona Millar Chair of Family and Parenting Institute
and Family Links’ Chief Executive Annette Mountford. Guests included academics, practitioners, commissioners of services and supporters of Family Links.
October 2007
Parents' Feel Good Event
More than 50 Grimsby parents enjoyed a day of pampering and relaxation on 18 October to mark Parents Week 2007. The event was a celebration of Family Links' work in North East Lincolnshire, and events included hand massage, time in games, healthy lunch boxes, making pamper baskets and relaxation.
New website section
Family Links now has an online resource of interviews with parents, professionals and children who have been affected by our work. Have a look at our Personal Accounts section for details
Oxford Excellence Cluster
More than 40 staff from Schools across Oxfordshire attended Family Links’ meeting about Oxfordshire Excellence Cluster on 5 October. All schools within the Cluster have regularly trained and received follow on support from Family Links.
Workshop Event
Family Links' Programme director Verity Lowe will give a workshop at Thames Valley Partnership's 'Parenting across the Wall' event on 13 November. Please see Thames Valley Partnership's website for more details.
