Family Links, a national Oxford based charity, enables children, young people and their families to lead more enjoyable lives.

It trains people to deliver the Nurturing Programme, which offers simple, effective tools for understanding and handling behaviour and emotions.

Courses are tailored for children and adults. The children’s courses are delivered by school staff, with groups for parents and carers.

The parallel programmes ensure children benefit from a consistent approach by the significant adults in their lives. In schools, the programme allows children to discuss their experiences in a safe, non-judgmental group, entitled Circle Time. This involves role play, games, and puppets are used to explore the emotional needs behind behaviour.

As children gain confidence in expressing their feelings, they learn to listen more to each other. Withdrawn children begin to express themselves more fluently, while anger is discussed, rather than acted out through violence or bullying.

Children really value the Nurturing Programme. One child said: “We have a great teacher and we have loads of fun. If you have a problem you can tell them and they will try to sort it out.”

Another child added: “You don’t have to worry because they’re not allowed to laugh.”

The programme also helps children to learn by developing their confidence and social skills and improving their behaviour. Ofsted inspections and academic evaluations have confirmed the benefits of the training.

The Nurturing Programme reaches well over 60,000 children in the UK, and over 80 schools in Oxfordshire alone.

The parenting groups change the way parents and carers think about their children and about themselves.

They are beneficial both to families who are struggling and to those already doing well, with a positive and non-stigmatising approach. The manual used in parenting groups is called The Parenting Puzzle.

They recently launched a Parenting Puzzle DVD as an extra teaching aid that helps parents with learning and literacy difficulties. Animated cartoons depicting the Bassett and Jones families in ‘before’ and ‘after’ situations show how positive a difference the Nurturing Programme can make to family life. Cartoons are ideal for people with short attention spans.

It represents the diverse families in the UK. Parents love the humour and seeing characters who resemble their own families.

Copies are available from the website. If you would like to order one or find out more about Family Links generally, visit: www.familylinks.org.uk

  • If you wish to contribute to this column, email Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action at voluntaryvoice@ocva.org.uk