Events
Strengthening
Families Conference: Working together for
stronger families June 2008
Conference
summary
About the
day
The conference opened
with a live performance of the drama Stronger
and was followed by group sessions
allowing parents and professionals' time for reflection and
an opportunity to discuss the drama, the issues it raised
and current practice and experiences. Comments from group
sessions were fed-back in the open forum discussion and a
panel of actors and parents were available to answer questions
from the floor and share their personal experiences.
Following lunch, there
was an afternoon of speakers and presentations:
*Suzanne Jones talked about the work
of the Right
From the Start initiative
*
Wendy Hellowell, Ups and Downs Southwest,
shared her experiences as a parent and her success
of establishing a
family support,
friendship and information service.
*
Jane Anstell, Sleep
Scotland, introduced their sleep counselling service and
training.
The day was drawn to
a close with remarks from Scope's Chief Executive, Jon Sparkes.
Conclusions
The overall aim
of the conference was to raise awareness of the emotional
journey and pressures parents and families of disabled children
(or children with additional support needs) experience in
their daily lives.
The performance of
Stronger, the open forum discussion
and the group sessions were designed to highlight the emotions,
stress, pressure and joys; the highs & lows and ups &
downs; encourage empathic support and active listening between
parents and professionals. Hopefully this was achieved
and delegates have taken time to reflect on the day and the
impact it had on them personally and professionally.
Strengthening
Families would like to thank everyone for attending our ‘Working
together for stronger families' conference and hope that everyone
enjoyed the day as much as we did. Special thanks also
go to everyone involved with making this day such a success,
particularly to our parent volunteers.
From feedback already
received we know that the day touched many emotions personally
by addressing real life issues and experiences. Moving,
powerful and true to life are among many comments received. The
group sessions also proved popular having the opportunity
to listen to both personal and professional views.
The conference
was well attended by parents and professionals, feedback received
includes:
Which
part of the performance ‘Stronger' did you enjoy the most?
"The depiction
of two families at different stages of their journeys"
(Professional)
"Different
roles that actors were portraying – touched lots of emotions
personally" (Parent/professional)
"I enjoyed
the fact that although it was an emotional play it was also
laced with humour which balanced it brilliantly" (Parent/carer)
"It is hard
to pinpoint one aspect as it was such a fabulous piece of
work" (professional).
Any
additional comments about the content of ‘Stronger'?
"Good visual/powerful
way of getting across the message of the differing needs of
parents involved with children with additional needs"
(Parent/professional)
"I think this
would be a very powerful tool to use with commissioners and
budget holders" (Professional)
"I thought
is was a great performance, I really enjoyed it. It covered
most aspects of the journey that parents go through."
(Parent/carer)
"Really
good how it covered a wide range of the issues and emotions
parents go through and how people cope in different ways"
(Parent/carer)
Did
you find the open forum useful after the performance?
"I was struck
by the openness of the comments as people shared very personal
feelings and thoughts that made the open forum a very moving
and worthwhile experience" (Professional)
"The bringing
on stage of the parents who had helped with the research and
supported the actors to portray their characters to answer
questions about the performance was particularly powerful"
(Professional).
"Having
families and professionals really helped to give a balanced
view. A really great opportunity to reflect and find better
ways of working in partnership." (Professional)
"Yes, especially
the views of other parents" (Parent/carer).
Did
you find the speakers informative and knowledgeable?
"All speakers
were very informative but more importantly passionate about
their cause" (Professional)
"Yes – overwhelmed
by the lady from Ups and Downs – truly inspirational!"
(Parent/carer)
"Yes, they
knew what they were talking about" (Parent/carer)
"The speakers
were great, they were informative and knowledgeable"
(Parent/carer)
What
are the main objectives you will take away from the conference?
"To assume
nothing, never judge, listen and empathise" (Professional)
"That as a
parent we are not alone, we all go through similar problems"
(Parent/carer)
"Be ready
to really listen and empower parents to move along the path
to acknowledgement and realise their own strength and worth"
(Parent/carer)
"As a professional
to be a more active listener and try to look out more and
be more aware when parents are facing these pressures"
(Parent/professional)
General
comments
"A very interesting
and thought provoking conference – many thanks." (Professional)
"I thoroughly
enjoyed the day; it was enlightening listening to parents
views" (Professional)
"Fantastic!!
A well organised day, informative. Good to see so many parents
there….." (Professional)
"A truly fabulous
conference – very emotive but absolutely essential to raise
the profile of families" (Professional)
"Enjoyed
the whole day!" (Parent/carer)
"Excellent
day, professional, informative and a brilliant location"
(Parent/professional).
For
information on current multi-agency training courses and organisations
/establishments training courses click
here or contact the Strengthening
Families Project:
Tel
01432 355308
Email
strengtheningfamilies@scope.org.uk
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