HeadStart Wolverhampton is offering parents and carers the chance to become a 'HeadStart Parent Champion', with drop in sessions starting next week.

HeadStart Parent Champions volunteer their time to support other parents and schools in their local communities, and support HeadStart Wolverhampton's events and activities.

By becoming a HeadStart Parent Champion, people can further their training and employment prospects, build their confidence and experience, and make a difference to their local community. Emotional mental health and wellbeing training is provided for anyone interested in taking on this rewarding role.

Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "HeadStart Wolverhampton are offering a wonderful programme for parents and carers who want to support their child - and other children - as best they can.

"The HeadStart Parent Champion initiative is a fantastic way for volunteers to give their time and experience to help their peers, and we would love to hear from any parents or carers who are able to join HeadStart Wolverhampton in supporting local young people."

For more information about becoming a HeadStart Parent Champion, please contact parentchampions@wolverhampton.go.uk, or call Reeta Shemar, Parent Champion Coordinator, on 07464 981888.

Meanwhile, HeadStart Wolverhampton partners are offering a range of training and information sessions for parents and carers.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is holding 5 information sessions cover a range of emotional mental health and wellbeing topics aimed at how parents can support young people.

They will take place at the Big Venture Centre on Chesterton Road every Monday and the Hope Centre at Ling House every Wednesday from 12.30pm to 2.30pm, starting on Monday (26 February) and Wednesday (28 February) respectively and take place over the next 5 weeks.

  • The emotional impact of bullying
  • Young people and depression
  • Young people and anxiety
  • Young people and self-harm
  • Promoting positive mental health

CAMHS are also hosting further emotional mental health and wellbeing drop in sessions for young people aged 10 to 16 years and their parents. Sessions will be held on the first Thursday of every month at Eastfield Strengthening Families Hub, Colliery Road, and the third Thursday of every month at the Gem Centre, Neachells Lane, from 3.30pm to 5pm.

For more information, please contact Lucy Atkins on 01902 444021.

Wider Learning is offering a free 6 week Adult HEROs training course for parents or carers who want to improve their own coping skills and learn more about the support they can offer for their child's emotional mental health and wellbeing.

Adult HEROs is being held at 4 venues, starting on Tuesday 27 February at the Bob Jones Community Hub, Blakenhall, from 10.15am to 12.15pm and Low Hill Community Centre from 1pm to 3pm, and on Thursday 1 March at St Martin's Church Hall, Bradley, from 10.15am to 12.15pm and Eastfield Community Centre from 1pm to 3pm.

To book a place or for more information, please contact Sue Westwood or Beth Wynn-Williams on info@widerlearning.com or call 07415 747950.

HeadStart Wolverhampton is designed to improve the emotional mental health and wellbeing of children and young people aged 10 to 16 by giving them the skills they need to cope with the challenges of modern life.

As well as running a series of specific programmes in its 4 key target areas, HeadStart Wolverhampton offers city wide help through a Type=links;Linkid=9943;Title=Support and Guidance Directory;Target=_blank; which provides emotional mental health and wellbeing resources from different organisations, including information targeted at young people, parents and carers, and professionals.

To find out more about HeadStart, please visit Type=links;Linkid=6584;Title=HeadStart;Target=_blank;, follow @headstartfm on Twitter or Instagram, or find HeadStart on Type=links;Linkid=7788;Title=Facebook;Target=_blank;.

  • released Friday 23 February, 2018