Testimonials
"I have had the pleasure of working with Families In Focus on a number of occasions. Lesley and Francine are lovely ladies with a wealth of experience and expertise enabling them to support families who have a child with additional needs, some of which have been quite complex. The empathy shown to the families, laced with practical support, produces a tangible service, the effects of which are evident in the parents growing confidence and diminishing anxiety."
"I would not hesitate to refer parents to the FIF Programmes in the knowledge that it would prove to be a valuable, positive and life-changing experience."
Jan Crook,
Think Family Parenting Practitioner – CAMHS October 2011
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"Families in Focus have delivered several courses for Windmill Children’s Centre. One of the most successful was a 6 week course for Dads. This course filled up very easily and more excitingly retained all attendees for the duration (except one that moved away). The benefits of the course were clear to see and as a result of attending the course several of the dads were allowed more access to their children then they were allowed previously. All the dads reported improved relationships with their children. The group formed friendships and acted as support to each other. Families have commented to us that the courses have changed their lives and that all parents should do a course to help them be the best parents that they can be."
Caroline Keeler,
Windmill Children’s Centre Manager Dacorum Herts.
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"I hope Francine and Lesley are aware of their ability to alter lives in such a positive way."
Parent South Oxhey 2011
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"Having worked for many years supporting parents of children with special needs and disabilities, Families in Focus are an organisation I have no reservations in recommending to parents. The quality of the workshops and courses they offer to parents is excellent and they have always recognised the issues faced by parents and offered practical support and tools for parents that in my experience have been extremely well received by those who have attended them. Families in Focus readily acknowledge and understand the needs of the parents in both practical and emotional terms and their courses and workshops are delivered in a way that encourages parents to feel valued and a part of the process as opposed to ‘done to’. Those involved in delivering this training have a wealth of experience both professionally and personally that they are able to use to provide an excellent service to parents. They are always non-judgemental and able to gear their work to the specific needs of the parents rather than be driven totally by service delivery demands. I have heard very positive feedback from parents after attending their workshops on many occasions and we have been able to work very positively interprofessionally in terms of the families that we mutually work with."
Helena Marks,
Parent Partnership Adviser, Childhood Support Services.
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"I have been aware of the work of Families in Focus for over 5 years now, and have worked with them on more than one occasion. I am delighted that the Parent-Centred Parenting (PCP) approach is being adopted by such a forward-thinking organisation and the way that the facilitators deliver their courses fits very well with the ethos of PCP. By developing new programmes and adapting existing courses with their increased knowledge of child development and commitment to the PCP approach, Families in Focus will be able to support families in Herts. and beyond even more effectively."
Dr. Amanda Gummer,
FUNdamentals.
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"I have worked with Families in Focus CIC since 2007 and do so because they know all about running successful groups and parenting and really do care about the parents and families they work with. I can refer parents onto courses knowing they will get a quality course, be listened too and get great support with the difficulties some of our families face."
Family Support Worker 2011
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"When I book Families in Focus CIC I know they will do a great job: delivering a quality course and get excellent results – all without hassle or worries."
ESCO December 2010
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"The parents in my area have really benefitted from the courses Families in Focus CIC provide. Lesley and Francine have enormous expertise and knowledge in parenting and deliver in such a light, non judgemental easy going way that it makes parents really look forward to each week and make lasting effective changes to their families."
PIO January 2010
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"The ladies running the group were professional, empathic, and ready to listen and give advice without being judgemental."
Parent July 2011
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From Parenting a Child with Additional Needs Watford January 2011
This poem was written by a parent carer to reflect her feeling after attending a Parenting a Child with Additional Needs course in 2011.
Warmth
The room radiates warmth
Partly body heat, but
Mostly a wave of
Human emotion
At its rawest,
But also kindest,
Most sensitive and
Empathic
To feel and to know
That I am not alone
In my difficult path
Creates
An almost indescribable
Sense of
Calm, Happiness
Fulfilment
All experiences that, at times
I had believed
Would never
Be mine again.
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"This course has been an invaluable investment of my time. Meeting other parents going through the same or similar things really helped me not to feel so isolated and different from other regular parents. I hope many more people will be helped by these courses for many years to come. The friendships we have made will continue after the course has finished. I am so grateful."
Thank you.
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"I have thoroughly enjoyed this course. I feel I have been able to discuss my feelings/fears in a way that I have never done before. Normally my feelings are kept inside and I just get on with things. It was great to have other parents who are in similar situation to myself."
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"This course has been paramount to me in understanding and supporting my child. It has made me stronger and will have a better outcome for him. Sharing stories has been the strongest thing I have experienced. Francine and Alex are excellent facilitators. I have made friendships with people who understand and can give appropriate advice to deal with difficult behaviours. Without this course I would not feel the self worth and empowerment which has been offered to me."
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"This course has been extremely helpful and very supportive. All the girls on the course are going through the same troubles and difficulties as me. It’s great to know you are not alone!"
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"Very uplifting and reassuring."
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"Have attended one to one counselling before but this course has been most beneficial with group work and strategies given to do."
Thank You!
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From Managing the behaviour of a child with additional needs – Summer 2011
“It made me think about how my child sees things. I gained ways to help when my child is angry. I have felt since being on the course much more able to cope with my child’s challenging behaviour”
“The course is fun as well as helpful and makes you want to return”
“I have a happier child, children and home”
“The course made me aware of how my actions impact on my child”
“I have had some fabulous advice which I have been able to use at home – with some success I felt emotional at times which was quite liberating and I feel a sense of belonging and hopefully made some important allies form within the group”
“Very helpful, shared thoughts. Hearing about other situations really helps. Brilliant strategies to put in place now. I feel more in control now. Not so alone. I can cope now”
“Finally I have attended the right type of parenting programme. This has really helped me and my situation."
From Parents Apart October 2011
“Some very constructive ideas that will help me understand and therefore help my children cope with the separation”
“It helped me to understand the whole process of separation and tips on what to do to help my children’s feelings and behaviours”
“It has made me aware of the feelings my children have. Now I feel better equipped to recognise these and work through them”
“There is more open communication between me and the kids. I feel close to my kids”
From Handling Anger in Your Family July 2011
"Despite initially feeling pushed into the course by my family! The facilitation and other parents helped me learn more about myself, my children and allowed me to improve myself and how I interact with my kids, spouse and others. The different perspectives were enlightening."
Thank you.
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"It has helped me focus on the main triggers for anger and that has helped to control my anger. I have understood why my children are angry and used the tips and ideas to great effect. It has made me realise I am not alone in the family difficulties I encounter."
Thank you!
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"An excellent course, full of ideas to put in practice each week and well thought out and researched. My family is so much calmer now."
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From Countdown toTimeout Summer 2010 and October 2011
"Very useful and informative and invaluable course . I have learnt so much form it not only by group leaders but form the group of other parents too with similar problems.
I was surprised that it worked so well! My children are happier and I feel more in control and confident as a parent."
A Letter from a dad after a "What Dad’s Can Do"course.
"I can honestly say how pleased I was that I attended the six week course "What Dad’s Can Do". I have reflected on the topics and discussions as I did after each session and I feel it only right to write an email to say a BIG thank you, and offer some feedback."
After discussing with my own dad (who I have recently got in contact with after a thirty year absence) the course prior to attending, his response was… "It’s common sense, what do you need to go on a course for". That for me summed up the problem with our relationship and why I wanted to go on the course. I am conscious, and perhaps now on reflection too much so, that not having my dad or a father figure around when growing up I would over compensate and ultimately loose respect from my daughter. The course didn’t give me all the answers, but what it did do was discuss options, techniques and parenting styles. Some aspects of these I knew, some not. The discussions meant that I am now more appreciative when perhaps I am being inconstant, not being focused or not giving my daughter what she needs, emotionally or physically. Most parents want to be the best in the world, I am not perfect but being able to recognise when perhaps I could have done something better is something I have learnt. The range of topics was broad and I feel I took something away from each week which I will use throughout parenthood.
Roger and Lesley had their unique styles, which quickly relaxed the dads. I appreciated that there was both a male and female perspective, often differing in views but enabled the course to offer a balanced view. I would like to thank both for their input as well as listening.
I generally believe that all dads should do a course like this and I hope the course continues to be funded especially in these times of cuts.
To see if there is a FREE Parent training course running in your area, check our current available course
To commission Families in Focus CiC to run a course for your organisation please contact us.
