Cheshire East Council has given £6,800 boost to a positive parenting scheme.
The ‘giveback’ grant will be used to fund workshops to help mums and dads boost their relationships with young children through the power of play.
Councillor Gillian Merry, who represents Sandbach Elworth Ward, recently visited one in a series of ‘positive play’ workshops at St Peter’s Church Hall, in Elworth, to present a cheque for £6,800 from the Cheshire East ‘giveback’ grant scheme, in support of the work.
Presenting the cheque, Cllr Merry said: “I’m really pleased to see that St Peter’s community church has been successful in getting this grant. It is very important that we foster play in young people because it is a key part of them developing into well-rounded adults and great contributors to society.”
Cathryn Houghton, a children and families worker at St Peter’s, said “We have been very blessed to have received this Cheshire East giveback grant, which has enabled us to set up a series of workshops, which are going continue over the next year.
“The purpose of the workshops is to enhance the relationship between parents and their children, aged three to five, through positive play. We are pleased to have Sabrina Persiano, a certified play therapist working with us on this project.
“Each series will start with a session designed to tailor the workshops to the individual needs of those taking part, followed by 10 workshop sessions. The groups will be small – working with a maximum of six parents or carers and their children at a time. Our next course starts in April, and we would ask parents who feel they may benefit from the course to get in touch via the church office.”
One parent at the workshop said: “I just think this is fantastic. I heard about it and I thought: all it can do is improve my relationship with my daughter.
“Like many parents, my life can be very busy and I realise that I don’t spend enough time playing with her, so I want to be sure that we get the most out of the time we do have together.
“Nobody is suggesting that we’re not good at playing with our children but we can all learn something. I have learnt things that I didn’t think I would do, things that I can apply every day, plus it is just nice to meet up with other people and discuss ideas.
“The most important thing is that the end result will be a positive thing for me and my daughter. I really recommend it. I think it is really useful and hope more people get the opportunity to come along in future.”
For more information about the ‘positive play’ workshops contact the church office on: 01298 762 213.
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