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ABOUT US
ABOUT THE CHANGING FAMILIES PROJECT
BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT
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This project started as a result of a BBC Panorama programme 'For The Sake Of The Children'. This programme focussed on the research of John Tripp, Consultant Paediatrician at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, and Monica Cockett, Research Fellow, University of Exeter. Their work looked at the impact of family reorganisation upon the children, looking at social development, educational achievement and health issues. It was the inspiration behind the project, which also draws upon the work of the late Professor Neil Kalter and recent developmental work in educational achievement.
The project has been operating for ten years in the South West and has been thoroughly researched and evaluated. The positive benefits have been demonstrated time and time again in the lives of the young people who have provided the ongoing development of the project.
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HERE IS A LIST OF SCHOOLS OF THE CHANGING FAMILIES HAVE WORKED WITH:
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Oldway Primary School, Foxhole Junior School, Tiverton High School,
St James School, Okehampton College, Lipson Community College,
St Boniface's RC College, Sir John Hunt Community Sports College,
Hele's School, Marine Academy (Tamarside), Notre Dame RC School,
Tor Bridge High (formally known as Estover Community College),
Austin Farm Community Primary School, Beechwood Primary School,
College Road Primary School, Drake Primary School,
High View Primary School (Highfield and Plym View), Knowle Primary School,
Lipson Vale Primary School, Marlborough Primary School , Oakwood Primary School,
Pennycross Primary School, Prince Rock Primary School,
Shakespeare Primary School (Chaucer Road and West Park),
St Paul's Roman Catholic Primary School, The Cathedral School of St Mary,
Thornbury Primary School, Victoria Road Primary School, Woodford Primary School |
It has been funded by Devon County Council, Torbay Children's Fund, Plymouth Children's Fund and Plymouth City Council.
WHY IS THE CHANGING FAMILIES PROJECT IMPORTANT?
When parents split up they often get stressed, sometimes too stressed to realise that their children may be going through difficulties too. Sometimes these difficulties appear years later because youngsters have tried to cover up their own feelings in order to be supportive to their parents.
It can be really hard to concentrate at school when you are worried about things at home. This can mean that school-work suffers and you may even start getting into trouble. Because some children feel that their parents business is private, they may feel unable to talk about their feelings to their friends, this makes them feel isolated and may cause difficulties and falling out with friends. All these things can mean that their health is affected too.
Some youngsters find that these difficulties go on for a long time. When parents meet a new partner it can be great to have a new adult around but others can find that it takes a lot to adjust to a new family. |  |
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WHAT WE DO
The Changing Families Project is a school-based scheme to help youngsters come to terms with parents' separation and family reorganisation. It is a twelve-week scheme that works with groups of youngsters who have had this experience for an hour a week. During this time the children work together to create a story about a fictional family going through break-up. They use role-play and drama to bring the story to life and express their feelings. This story forms the basis of a magazine designed by the group to help other youngsters in similar circumstances.
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT Download PDF
Many of the young people we work with suffer from low self-esteem and self-confidence and some will find difficulty concentrating in class. In order to help the group deal with this they learn techniques drawn from yoga, use bio-feedback machines and practise visualisation and breathing exercises, which helps them to relax and to focus. They are also involved in extra-curricular activities that are designed to help their confidence and develop skills, social relationships and teamwork. These activities range from pottery workshops to circus skills. | |
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As many younger students lack the confidence needed to make an easy transition from Primary School to Secondary School we have developed training for Year 12 students to deliver the project and act as mentors to the top Primary age. These mentors have also experienced family reorganisation and are thus able to be good role models for the younger students. In doing this they are able to utilise what may have been painful and difficult experiences in a creative, positive and practical manner that, in turn, not only supports others but also helps them.
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THE CHANGING FAMILIES PROJECT