Angela Bailey

The courses

The 7-session courses use the material produced by Michael and Terri Quinn to present various parenting strategies in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. We charge £15 per course to cover the cost of the course handbook, hire of the video and refreshments. Concessions are available. All courses are held at Sheffield Mind, Lawton Tonge House, 57 Wolstenholm Road, Sheffield, S7 1LE
In recent years we have run the two courses twice a year as described below. Although this pattern is likely to continue it is advisable to check dates and book early (contact us) as there are only about 10 places per group.
1. Assertiveness for Parents
(Handbook 'Being Assertive')
This course, which is suitable for parents/carers of children aged 2-18 years, particularly older children, meets on Thursday evenings (7.30 - 9.00 pm plus coffee and chat until 9.30 pm) and usually starts late September and April/May.
2. Making Parenting More Enjoyable
(Handbook 'From Pram to primary School')
This course, which is suitable for parents/carers with at least one child aged 0-7 years, meets on Tuesday mornings (9.30 – 11.00 am plus coffee and chat until 11.30 am) and usually starts late October and late February. A few free crèche places may be available.

Brief History

Our first course for parents, which started on the 4 th November 1997, was made possible by three events earlier that year. These provided the expertise, time and facilities required. First I attended a workshop run by Michael Quinn, director of the Family Caring Trust and Co-ordinator of a series of parenting programmes. I thought these programmes, which used videos, discussion and course handbooks to present strategies for dealing with and improving relationships, were very impressive and would help most parents. Second, early retirement provided the necessary time and third, whilst updating our information, I contacted Sheffield Mind to ask if they still ran a mother and toddler group. I was informed that they didn't as they were short of a leader but they did have room and crèche facilities available if I was interested. I was ken to discuss this and arranged to meet Lily Barker, a project worker at Mind.
Like all participants in the parenting programmes, I had left the workshop with a course handbook and I took "From Pram to Primary School" to show Lily. After much discussion it was decided to run this course as a joint venture between the two organisations. Another Parent Lifeline volunteer and I co-led the first course. Subsequently, with the aid of additional co-leaders, a second programme, "Being Assertive" was introduced and the number of groups gradually increased (seven last year) to meet demand.

Comments from participants:

"I found the course very useful and very positive."
"I feel much calmer and more confident."
"The videos were very helpful."
"The book is great."
"I found it useful to hear that other people have similar difficulties."
"Raised my awareness of how I interact with my children, improved relationships with all members of the family, helped me become more relaxed."
"I enjoyed meeting other people and sharing tips, ideas and stories."
"I'm trying to ignore misbehaviour more, do more good listening and not lecture, nag or shout as much. And it is working (most of the time)."