Raising Confident Children Workshop

These workshops are currently not running due to coronavirus but we hope to start up again by the spring

Are you anxious? Are you a parent? Are you worried about the impact of your anxiety on your child?

We have just the thing for you!

Our Raising Confident Children course runs in various locations around Brighton and East Sussex. The group is for anxious parents and offers two short sessions aimed at improving mental health outcomes for parents and their children. The groups are also running as part of a wider research clinic aimed at exploring and developing the types of support offered to parents.

The course usually runs over two mornings, one week apart. The courses are run by trained mental health professionals and are usually attended by a group of 6-8 parents, all of whom experience anxiety. Session one will start by discussing things that all parents can do to raise confidence in their children. In the second session we look at things that are particularly important if you live with anxiety.

After you have completed the course, you will have access to our follow up resources. C lick here to access the resources

Overall the course is good fun – we aim to have a bit of a laugh while talking about all the things that anxious parents can do, to raise confident children.

Comments from parents who have taken the course

Both of these sessions were really useful to put everything in perspective and start to get back in control

My little boy slept in his own bed for the whole night for the first time in months...

It was helpful clarifying and separating the different anxieties …..and showing ‘doable’ ways of tackling them

there was so much information crucial for good parenting

I have never felt so good about myself as a parent

It was so helpful to hear other people’s examples and become aware that it’s not just you that has these problems

How do I register for the course?

The 'Raising Confident Children' course is currently offered in Brighton through 'Brighton and Hove Well-being Service' and in East Sussex through 'Health In Mind'.

People are usually referred to the group by their clinicians following an assessment. If you're are interested in attending our group but aren't currently accessing mental health support you can refer yourself into both services online.

If you're living in the Brighton area please complete the online referral form for Brighton and Hove Well-being Service.

If you're living in East Sussex please complete the online referral form for Health in Mind

FAQs

Can I attend the group if I don't live in Brighton or East Sussex?

Unfortunately not, as our groups are currently run through local mental health services, to access these services you need to be a resident in the area.

I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is this suitable for me?

Currently the groups are tailored to support those with general anxiety

Can all parents attend the 'Raising Confident Children' groups?

We’ve found that the techniques and tips we discuss in the group work well for parents or caregivers who:

Have at least 1 child between the age of 2-11
Consider themselves reasonably anxious

What can I expect from the Raising Confident Children Group?

The groups involve two members of staff and up to 8 parents. Session one starts by discussing things that all parents can do to raise confidence in their children. In the second session we look at things that are particularly important if you live with anxiety. The workshops are fun and relaxed, and parents who have taken part before have said that they found them both useful and enjoyable.

Am I expected to speak in the group?

There’s no pressure to share or contribute to the group if you’d rather not, attendees are free to sit back and simply listen to the facilitators.

Do I need to bring anything?

Everything you’ll need will be provided including writing materials.

Will I be expected to take notes or write things down?

When you arrive we ask parents and caregivers to complete a few questionnaires. These questionnaires are provided by the service - either Brighton and Hove Wellbeing service or Health in Mind and they require us to collect this information each session.

The second questionnaire is related to the Flourishing Families Clinic, as we mentioned above we’re a new service and this means we’re keen to get a sense of how we’re doing, as part of this we ask you to complete a questionnaire at the first session and then the same questionnaire 3 months after you attended the group.

As part of the group we provide parents with a booklet to work through at the start of each session. As we go through the session the facilitators will give time to complete the worksheets and will come round and discuss this with each person.

These booklets will be yours to keep and we hope they’re helpful for parents and caregivers as they begin trialling some of the techniques we cover in the group.

Are there any childcare facilities available for my child whilst I'm in the group?

Unfortunately we are currently unable to provide childcare for the children of parents attending the groups. In future we’re hoping to secure enough funding to offer this service to allow more parents to engage with the groups.

Is there parking available at the group venue?

The Brighton groups are currently held at ‘Mind’ and there is no parking on site however there are nearby pay & display car parks.

Groups over in East Sussex are currently held at Avenida Lodge, there is limited onsite parking so if you’re attending this group we’d recommend arriving early so you can grab a space or have plenty of time to find other parking in the area.

What about after I attend the group?

After attending the ‘Raising Confident Children’ group, if you’ve discussed receiving further support within the service then you’ll go on to receive this.

If not, you may be discharged from the service but this can be discussed with you practitioner.

As part of follow up we’ve put together some resources that you’ll be able to access after you’ve completed both sessions.

We’ll also be in touch in 3 months’ time via email to ask you to complete an electronic version of the questionnaire you completed in the first session.