Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Attending a Strengthening Families course was all it took to restore a little harmony to the lives of this Mynyddygarreg family. Fiona and Chris Woodward, who live with Daniel, 14, Nathan, 12, Frances, eight, and Leah, four, feel that the advice and support offered during the course has helped make a real difference to the way they live and communicate with each other. The family attended a Strengthening Families course at Ysgol Glan Y Mor, Burry Port, after it was suggested they may benefit from meeting other families with children of the same age and experiencing similar family pressures. Over seven weeks, they covered various aspects of family life – from looking at different ways to communicate with one another better to peer pressure and approaching behavioral issues from a different angle. Whilst Fiona, Chris, and the two boys took part in group discussions and activities, the younger girls were able to enjoy play sessions. As part of the sessions, parents and children are...

Llanelli families are being encouraged to volunteer for a national research project which evaluates how strengthening the family unit can help prevent young people from misusing alcohol and drugs. The prestigious research project, funded by the National Prevention Research Initiative, is led by Cardiff University in collaboration with Swansea University and Oxford Brookes University. Carmarthenshire County Council is one of only six local authorities across the UK to be chosen to deliver the Strengthening Families Programme. Any Llanelli family, with children aged 10-14, can volunteer to be part of the next phase of the scheme, which will take place at Bryn School, starting on January 10. The programme runs after school in short two-and-a-half hour sessions over a period of seven weeks. The sessions are informal, and food and refreshments are provided. There are also prizes for taking part, and childcare and play activities for any younger children in the family. Programmes have alread...

Ammanford families will be among the first to take part in a national research project evaluating how effective a new scheme is at strengthening the family unit to prevent young people from misusing alcohol and drugs. Carmarthenshire families have the opportunity to be part of a prestigious research project funded by the National Prevention Research Initiative, led by Cardiff University in collaboration with Swansea University and Oxford Brookes University. Carmarthenshire County Council was selected as one of six local authorities to deliver the Strengthening Families Programme 10-14 (UK). The first roll-out of the scheme will begin in Ammanford Comprehensive School later this month, and will be run in other areas of the county later in the year. Fran Dixon, Strengthening Families Coordinator, said: “Becoming a teenager can be a challenging time for young people and parents alike. The Strengthening Families Programme has been proven to support parents and young people through this tim...

More than 40 people attended the launch of the Strengthening Families Programme in Carmarthenshire. Carmarthenshire County Council has been selected as one of six local authorities to deliver the programme, based on strengthening families by addressing key areas such as family functioning and parenting skills, with the aim of preventing young people from misusing alcohol and drugs. The service will be delivered in partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council’s Substance Misuse Team and Education and Children’s Services department, and Action for Children. For further information contact Fran Dixon, Strengthening Families Coordinator, on 01554 744377, or email frances.dixon@actionforchildren.org.uk. Pictured at the launch are, back row, from left, Grahame Howard of Cardiff’s Strengthening Families Programme; Gareth John, Head of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities; Cllr Gwynne Wooldrige, Executive Board Member for Education and Children’s Services; Kelvin Barlow, Team Manager ...