Helping Families Communicate - Free Parenting Classes

A series of free parenting classes for parents of teens and pre-teens is being launched by Dover District Council and the Kent County Council Adult Education Service. The classes are run by Adult Education with funding from DDC's Community Safety Unit and the Home Office Respect Team.

Parenting classes meet once a week over a six week period. Classes give parents the chance to exchange and share experiences of parenting and to learn new skills. The aim of the course is to give parents/carers of teenagers and pre-teens confidence in their parenting skills and to give them new information and strategies to cope with their children's behaviour. Topics include looking at the pressure on both teenagers and parents, sharing good communication skills, using empathy and encouragement, exploring boundaries, discipline, responsibility and trust.

Dover resident Cherry Behan has just completed a parenting course. She is a Learning Champion for Adult Education. Learning Champions are individuals who are working to encourage people into learning and to explain the benefits of adult education.

Cherry said "It was great to share experiences with other parents and to learn about communicating, it really makes a difference. We are communicating better than ever now, there has definitely been changes and the results really show."

Classes begin at the Dover Discovery Centre on 29 September and the Landmark Centre in Deal on 1 November. Other classes are being held in Buckland, Elvington, Aylesham and Old Park in Dover. Classes are open to men, women or couples and are free to Dover District residents.

Chris Perks, coordinator with the Adult Education Service, said "This is a great opportunity for anyone with teens or pre-teens. Learning is all about getting confidence and can really make a difference."

Cllr Mrs Julie Rook, DDC Cabinet Member for Citizenship said "Children do not come with an instruction manual and although raising children can be extremely rewarding, it can also be incredibly frustrating. We are hoping that through these classes we can help to make things a little easier."

For more information, please contact Chris Perks on (01304) 244585 or log onto the DDC website at www.dover.gov.uk.

Classes will take place on the following dates:

Dover Discovery Centre, Market Square, Dover
Fridays 9.30am - 11.30am
29th September 2006 - 10th November 2006

Landmark Centre, 129 High Street, Deal
Wednesdays 9.30am - 11.30am
1st November 2006 - 6th December 2006

Buckland Community Centre, Roosevelt Road, Dover
Thursdays 9.30am - 11.30am
18th January 2007 - 1st March 2007

Elvington Community Centre, Saint John's Road, Elvington
Tuesdays 9.30am - 11.30am
20th February 2007 - 27th March 2007

Aylesham Neighbourhood Project, Ackholt Road, Aylesham
Mondays 6.30pm - 8.30pm
23rd April 2007 - 11th June 2007

Old Park Community Centre, Gordon Road, Dover
Tuesdays 9.30am - 11.30am
5th June 2007 - 10th July 2007