Parents Form Lifelong Friendships Thanks To Course

Parents formed lifelong friendships on a 10-week course to help manage feelings and behaviour.

The students have formed such close bonds at a parenting course that they have set up a WhatsApp group to continue supporting each other. 

“I feel safe and can talk about anything, and not feel judged,” praised one parent who completed the Nurture Programme. 

Parents were feeling emotional at the end of the course at Coalshaw Green Family Centre in Chadderton, which helped them to understand and manage feelings and behaviour and become more positive and nurturing in their relationships with their children. 

Bruce Penhale, Assistant Director for Early Help at Oldham Council, who presented the certificates to the parents said when he entered the room there was “such a positive atmosphere.” 

Senior Family Worker Sheryl Brennan explained: “It has been a pleasure to deliver the course to a great group of parents and we have also been on the learning journey alongside them. 

“There were some tears at the end of the course, but they have set up a WhatsApp group to keep in touch and continue that support network with each other which is so important.” 

Another parent said: “I’m really going to miss these groups. I don’t think I would have been as motivated if it wasn’t for everyone.” 

Another commented: “I highly recommend this course to all parents. The knowledge I have gained is so valuable and will help me to successfully parent my children. Thank you so much. I’m so grateful. 

“I’ve realised that if I change the way I do things, my children’s behaviour will change.” 

Councillor Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added: "This is an example of the wide range of support that we offer to families here in Oldham. 

"We are working hard to provide parents and carers with the tools to give children the best possible start in life."