Our work with parents and carers
Our work with parents and carers
Being a parent can be a joy. It should be a joy. And it often is.
But when your child is suffering, parenthood can be a tough, lonely and frightening place. And when the cause of that suffering is hard to understand, as is so often the case with mental health, it becomes more difficult still.
At Charlie Waller, we understand that. In part, this is because the experts who lead our rapidly expanding Parent and Carer Programme are also parents who have experienced it themselves.
We understand how hard it is, but we also know that there is a great deal that you can do to help. Our programme of information and support is underpinned by four principles. As a parent or carer:
- Look after your own wellbeing. This is vital. If you don’t, you will be far less able to look after your child’s.
- Educate yourself about your child’s mental health difficulties – it makes a big difference. It will help you to cope yourself, and it will better enable you to understand and support your child.
- There is hope. Remember this. There are practical tools and treatments that work and our knowledge of children’s and young people’s mental health is advancing all the time. Holding onto hope yourself, and offering hope to your child, is the most important thing you can do.
- You are not alone, despite how it may sometimes feel. There are many, many families going through similar difficulties, and help is available.
Parent Carer Peer Support Course
We are delighted to announce that we will be offering our full parent carer peer support course again starting in January 2025. Our PCPS training course is open to those working as parent carer peer support workers, or parents and carers who would like to train to become a PCPS worker. We also provide training for their supervisors. If you would like to hear more about this course, register your interest now!
Parents and Carers
Services and commissioners
We provide practical information about children and young people's mental health
We have produced a wealth of expert, evidence-based articles and resources for parents and carers, on a range of topics relating to the mental health of children and young people, which are being regularly added to. Information is available on our website as well as in leaflets which can be downloaded or requested in hard copy.
A national network of parent and carer peer support groups
Over the last eight years projects and groups have been created by parents and carers working with professionals in the voluntary sector, the NHS and children’s services with the aim of supporting other parents and carers. These project and groups came together in 2020 to form the PLACE Network to offer mutual learning, support and to help this community to grow and expand. Membership is open to anyone with a lived experience or professional background interested in providing support to parents and carers whose child has mental health difficulties
Training through schools
We advocate a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing, we work in partnership with schools, offering expert advice and training that involves all members of the school community - pupils, staff, parents and carers.
The Charlie Waller partnership approach is evidence-based and, above all, is practical and supportive. It helps schools to deliver ‘everyday magic’ throughout the school community and ensures that schools and parents can work hand-in-hand to support their children’s’ mental health.
We are now offering a great deal more training and support online via Zoom and webinars. This can work very well for parents who may find it hard to attend an event in person. It also means we can reach many more parents and carers from all over the UK.
10 practical tips for parents, from parents
10 practical tips for parents supporting a child with a mental health problem, written by parents who have gone through it
Read tipsHelp us continue to support parents and carers
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The Charlie Waller Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales 1109984. A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales 5447902. Registered address: The Charlie Waller Trust, First Floor, 23 Kingfisher Court, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5SJ.
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