Strengthening Families Programme

There are many challenges for children who are about to become teenagers, and for their parents or carers. To provide support to young people and their families, Perth & Kinross Council's Strengthening Families Programme will again be offering free evening sessions over a seven-week period at various locations across the local area, starting in late April 2018. 

Strengthening Families is designed to support families with 10 or 11 year olds to prepare for their teenage years. The programme focusses on improving family relationships and preventing potential issues faced by many young people: for example, managing peer pressure, recognising and managing stress and anxiety that can lead to poor emotional wellbeing, as well as the likelihood of them becoming involved in misusing substances, such as alcohol, as they grow older. 

The sessions are designed for young people and their parents and carers to attend together, and over the course of the programme, families will develop their understanding of each other's strengths and qualities. This will enable them to then better support each other and have a positive experience of the young person's teenage years. 

With a mix of group learning time and family activities, young people will develop skills to appreciate others' feelings, and learn how to handle peer pressure which can often be experienced around the subjects of drugs and alcohol. They will also learn how to set personal goals for the future, to encourage success at school and beyond. In addition, parents and carers will learn different ways to support young people and how to set boundaries for them as they get older. 

An evening meal will be provided as well as free childcare and play activities for other siblings at the sessions. Support with transport can also be arranged for families if required. The evening sessions last for two and a half hours, and will take place once a week for seven weeks at the following venues: 

- Community School of Auchterarder, New School Lane, Auchterarder: running on Mondays from 23 April to 11 June 2018, 5:00pm to 7:30pm (excluding Monday 7 May)
- Crieff Primary School, Broich Road, Crieff: running on Tuesdays from 24 April to 5 June 2018, 5:00pm to 7:30pm 
- Glenearn Community Campus, Glenearn Road, Perth: running on Wednesdays from 25 April to 6 June 2018, 5:00pm to 7:30pm
- Balhousie Primary School, Dunkeld Road, Perth (Polish Group): running on Thursdays from 19 April to 31 May 2018, 5:00pm to 7:30pm

These groups are open to all families. To sign up for a Strengthening Families group, please complete an application form available online from www.pkc.gov.uk/strengtheningfamilies or phone 01738 477697.