Public Health England Conference 2019
University of Warwick
Better Start Bradford and ChildsSide Poster Presentation, presenting the information and statistics for the Older Yet Wiser Grandparent workshops in Leeds and Bradford.
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Maryiam’s Grand Story
Hello my name is Maryiam Ahmad. I’m mum to four wonderful children aged 26, 24, 18 and 17 years old. I am also grandma to three grandsons aged six, four, three, and my granddaughter, Sorayah who is two.
I regularly look after my grandchildren, while my daughter is working or simply because I love spending time with them and it gives her a break. I know what it is like to be a mum of very young children and how important it is for her to have some ‘me time’.
I find working in the local community so rewarding as you get to meet so many parents from different backgrounds and places. You get to build up relationships with the parents, grandparents and carers and you also see the children grow up.
I jumped at the chance to meet other grandparents
When the opportunity came up to take part in the Older Yet Wiser pilot workshops , I jumped at the chance to be able to meet other grandparents.
The course was so interesting. In the first week we learned about the structure and development of a child’s brain. I learned how important the first few years of development are on the growing brain and was quite shocked at the massive impact outside factors have on baby’s brains.
Each week, we got an educational gift to try out with our grandchildren
Each week of the course we got an educational gift that we could try out with our grandchildren. I especially loved the puppets as they were great fun and I could talk through them with my grandchildren. I actually found out that my grandson was worried about another child at nursery through chatting with him using the puppets. It is such a good way to connect and have conversations with your grandchildren.
We learnt about the importance of child-led play
We also learnt about the importance of playing with our grandchildren and in particular child-led play where you let your grandchild choose how and what they want to play with you.
Judith Shalkowski and Liz Ranson , who run Older Yet Wiser were absolutely amazing. They really know what they are talking about when it comes to grandparenting and as a group we really bonded well together. You think you know everything as a grandparent, but you really don’t. I wish I had known how important play was when my children were growing up.
January 2020
By Royal invitation...ChildsSide and Better Start Bradford meet the ROYAL FOUNDATION at the Khidmat Centre in Bradford.
New Home New Country©
The 8 week peer mentored series of workshops gives parents new skills and helps them gain confidence in their family life here, build stronger relationships and establish a strong foundation for their child's future. Parents new to the UK tell us they want a better understanding of what it is to raise children in the UK. Parents say that without current information on parenting ideas, expectations and services it is very hard to settle well. Without language support they miss out, have dashed hopes and encounter unnecessary problems as families. Overcoming barriers to health, school and English language they feel would help families to feel at home more quickly. More experienced parents often say "if only I'd known".
with Better Start Bradford 2017
'Strengthening Emotional Connections' 2017
Funded by #giveloveleeds grantsFree Seminar
3 Seminars for Foster Carers, Kindship carers, and new mothers
Strengthening Emotional connections builds confidence, self-esteem & resilience with tools and approaches to support healthy family relationships.
An informal session with: brief informative talks, short video clips, handouts, and fun activities, based on a free take-home information booklet.
Discover the power of the brain
Explore feelings
Consider the value of play
Reflect on positive relationships
Build resilience and emotional wellbeing
A ChildsSide and Leeds Kinship Care Partnered event
Foster carers said----
Anita N: Enjoyable and interesting seminar, interesting insight into new baby’s behaviour.
Dawn E: I gained tools and information, confidence and learned more about trauma, and layering good experiences.
Ann K: ‘I learned more about how to develop relationships, and communication with practical tools.’
Big Lottery Funded 2016 - Older Yet Wiser© Project for Leeds
The greatest moments with Older Yet Wiser Grandparents
Older Yet Wiser© Workshop Series 1
See what we've achieved - to share with our wonderful grandchildren
Practical workshops giving grandparents new skills and resources. Our first series of workshops is complete and the response has been superb. We've been having fun and learning new information.
Grandparents said.....
“We talk a lot more to our grandchild. The whole course was about the child and how we can interact with her. I still look back at the notes.”
“I have less stress in the house because I am using different words. It works for the whole family. I say ‘I see’ instead of being sarcastic. It works! Now my daughter does it – they notice!”
Grandparents said.....
“We talk a lot more to our grandchild. The whole course was about the child and how we can interact with her. I still look back at the notes.”
“I have less stress in the house because I am using different words. It works for the whole family. I say ‘I see’ instead of being sarcastic. It works! Now my daughter does it – they notice!”
'Grandshare' from series 1 using a Dreamcatcher to help my grandaughter with a family trauma.
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