HomeStart
Home-Start provides friendship, support and practical help to families who have at least one child under the age of five years, for further information please read: HomeStart.ppt
Akugbe ('We Are Together') Project 2011
Working together with home, school and the Black community of Bedford to improve the emotional, social and economic outcomes for Black and Mixed-heritage children and young people aged 9 – 18. 'Black' here is defined as those individuals who are or have one or more parents from Africa and/or the Caribbean.
Workshops for both parents and children on self empowerment: self awareness, self analysis and self improvement, Black successful professional role models to engage the children through talks/presentation, group discussions, provision of extra academic tuition in subjects relevant to the children by professionals in an out-of-school environment, mentoring (1:1 sessions), House visits (liaison with parents), acting as advocates for parents in relationship with the school, provision of information via community newsletter and website and community social events including awards to children for academic achievements.
The project aims to support Black parents, including absent parents to:
- Build stronger links with their children’s schools especially where a child is at risk of exclusion from school;
- Know more about the education system, including the role of parents, head-teachers and school governors
Furthermore, the project seeks to work with parents to support under-achieving Black and Mixed-heritage children and young people between the ages of 9 and 18 to:
• Aspire to better life-styles;
• Improve their understanding of pro-social and respectful relationships, have good behaviour in school and in the community with increased school attendance;
• stay-on in post-16 education
If you are interested, please contact: Bedford African & Caribbean Forum, Clifton House, 4A Goldington Road,
Bedford MK40 3NF, telephone (01234) 363925 or visit www.bedfordafricanandcaribbeanforum.org.uk
Helping Children Read Workshop
A FREE workshop for mothers and fathers with pre-school or lower school aged children at Bedford Central Library. To enrol on a Helping Children Read workshop at the library please talk to a member of staff at the library or call the library on (01234) 718178 and provide your name and contact telephone number.
Parent Partnership Service
Offers free confidential information and support to parents/carers of children who have, or may have, special educational needs.
www.bedfordshireparentpartnership.co.uk
Family Information Service
Provides free, confidential information and advice to help parents, carers, children, young people and professionals working with families to find the services they need.
0800 023 2057
fis@bedford.gov.uk
Parentline plus
Provides help and support for anyone caring for children.
0808 800 2222 (24 hour helpline)
www.parentplus.org.uk
Gotateenager
A social networking site, run by Parentline Plus, giving help and advice to the parents of teenagers.
www.gotateenager.org.uk
Relate for parents and families
Useful information and advice for parents, or anymore in a family to help with the most important relationships – the ones you have with your family.
www.relateforparents.org.uk
Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)
Provides advice and information to parents and cares on a wide range of school based issues.
0808 800 5793 (Mon – Fri 10am to 5pm)
Children’s Legal Centre
The child law advice line ensures children, parents, carers and professionals have access to free legal advice from qualified solicitors and to services which they are entitled.
www.childrenslegalcentre.com
Netmums
A locally based social networking site connecting parents with each other with help from experts on specific issues through private on-line messages or conversations.
www.netmums.com
Dad talk
An online community where you can share ideas, find out information and talk about the issues of being a day
www.dadtalk.co.uk
Begrand.net
A website for grandparents. Provides help and advice on a rand of issues, on-line advisers and a community where grandparents can share ideas.
www.begrand.com
Thecoupleconnection.net
An interactive service where couples can fine how to manage their relationship more positively
www.thecoupleconnection.net
Gingerbread
Provides support services, training and learning opportunities and campaigning voice for single parents.
0808 802 0925 (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm)
Young Minds Parents’ Helpline
Free confidential support for anyone worried about emotional problems or behaviour of a child or young person.
0808 802 5544 (Mon – Fri 9am – 4pm)
Parentchannel.tv
A range of parenting videos for parents and carers of children 5-19 years
www.parentchannel.tv
Bullying
Help and advice for victims of bullying and parents
www.bullying.co.uk
Connexion direct
Offers advice for young people on education, careers, housing, money, health and relationships. Includes web chat. Telephone and call back services.
www.connexion-direct.com
Families United Network/Family Voice
Offers support to Bedfordshire families who have a child with a disability, special need or additional needs.
www.familiesunitednetwork.co.uk; www.familyvoicelutonbeds.co.uk; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iON0BXWtmvk
Family Lives
Extended support for complex and difficult issues; personalised email service, online peer support, online advice and information on all aspects of family life and face to face support groups/workshops.
Free 24-hour confidential helpline (08088) 002222 or visit www.familylives.org.uk