At Shepherds Bush Families Project we have a large hall which gives us the facility to run a warm, friendly, and welcoming drop-in centre where families in housing need can come for play sessions and to make or meet friends for tea/coffee and a chat. We also have a wide variety of play equipment for children and young people of all ages to play and take part in a range of activities.
At Shepherds Bush Families Project we have a large hall which gives us the facility to run a warm, friendly, and welcoming drop-in centre where families in housing need can come for play sessions and to make or meet friends for tea/coffee and a chat. We also have a wide variety of play equipment for children and young people of all ages to play and take part in a range of activities.
OUR PARENT AND CHILD DROP-IN - THE HEART OF OUR PROJECT:
Tuesday: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Thursday: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Our Parent & Child Drop-in is informal, free of charge and families have no obligation to attend every day or even stay for whole sessions, although many do both. The drop-in is an opportunity for both parents and children to socialise in a safe stimulating environment where noise and messy play are not a problem and are actively encouraged. Parents are supported to understand the need for play and how babies, toddlers and young children learn through play. We ensure that children and their parents have the opportunity to join in many different activities and parents are able to spend stress free time with their children. One of the aims of our drop-in is to help parents and children prepare for school.
Our Drop-in also allows children the opportunity to get to know Early Years Practitioners and the environment with their parents close by, thus enabling them to join the crèche and pre-school with ease when they are ready, which further facilitates their move into formal education.
During school holidays our drop-in caters for children and young people birth – 13 yrs. All practitioners have experience of working across the age range which ensure we continue to offer a safe, stimulating environment.
PRE-SCHOOL (Celebrated 25 years in June 2017)
Monday 9.15am - 1.45pm
Tuesday - Friday 9.15am - 12.45pm
We run an Ofsted registered pre-school provision for children aged 1-5 years. The preschool is an opportunity for children to learn through play in a friendly, warm, safe and stimulating environment. The aims of our pre-school are to ensure children aged 1-5 are given opportunity to learn through play and the support to develop their language, communication, social, emotional and physical skills. We support children to gain the skills and confidence they need for a firm learning foundation before entering formal education.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
Tuesday 3.30pm- 5.30pm
Our After School Club is for children and young people aged 5 –16yrs. Children & young people that attend sessions are able to receive homework support in all subjects and have access to materials and resources needed in order to complete class and school projects. Children & Young peoples also have an opportunity to try out different forms of art and take part in variety of games and activities.
The main aims of the After School Club are to:
• Give children and young people aged 5-16 yrs. a safe, stimulating and welcoming space to call their own
• Encourage children and young people to use their imagination and explore their own creativity
• Give children and young people an opportunity to explore their ideas and talk about issues that affect them
• Lower the risk of children and young people becoming victims or crime or getting involved in crime
• Give children and young people sharing a commonality of experience, i.e. inadequate housing, a place to socialise
• ABOVE ALL give children and young people a chance to have fun, in an environment where noise and mess are not a problem and where they have plenty of space to play, socialise and be themselves
HOLIDAY PROVISION
Various activities both on & off-site. The School Holiday provision enables C&YP to participate in activities, events & visit new places that may normally be denied to them.
Parent & Infant Group --A Relational Group for Parents & Infants
Tuesday 1.00pm - 2.300pm
Just as parents need each other, babies too need and respond to being with their peers. At Shepherds Bush Families Project & Children’s Centre, we have a group especially for parents/caregivers and young babies - aged from birth to one year. Babies are born naturally curious and primed to be sociable but even if they do prefer to be with you - the person who looks after them the most - they love being around other infants and grown-ups who show them an interest. Being with others is how all babies begin learning about themselves, their world, and how to be in relationship.
Caring for our babies is something that links parents all over the world. Our parent and baby group is here for you to come and enjoy being with your baby in a safe and supportive environment, to play and have fun together as well as be able to connect up with other parents with young babies of a similar age
TOY & BOOK LIBRARY
Wednesday 12.45pm - 2.30pm
Our toy library runs on a weekly basis and we have toys, games, books and activities for children & young people aged 0-16yrs. Parents are encouraged to use the library as often as they wish and our childcare staff will talk with parents and help them to find the appropriate toy, book or activity for their children.
ADVICE & ADVOCACY
Appointment only service Tuesday & Thursday 9.00am -3.00pm
Our 1:1 advice and advocacy service offers individual families advicet, assistance on a practical level and a range of assistance in other areas. This includes help with housing issues, benefit clams, acting as advocate on behalf of families and advice on getting back into work or into vocational, adult training. Where we are unable to help we are able to signpost and refer to other appropriate in house services or agencies
THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING
Appointment only service Monday & Wednesday
Many of us welcome the opportunity to talk to someone about the problems & difficulties we experience. We have long recognised this and provide a very individualised, private and professional counselling and therapeutic service for parents.
For many parents the limits to the lengths and types of interventions available and pressures on mainstream services provision mean they are not always able to access the timely or adequate help. Our service offers a non-judgmental counselling service that is not limited by time constraints.
SYSTEMIC FAMILY THERAPY
Helping to overcome the stress of transition and change for parents and children alike
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 4.00.pm - 6.00pm
Sometimes, there are transitions and change in families which are hard to overcome. About Families is a therapeutic service for families who would like some help in coping with change.
Change is all around us and for families this is no different. Most change may go unnoticed, such is the inner sense of competence and confidence families naturally generate. But sometimes, there are changes in families which are harder to overcome. These sorts of changes often require more time and attention to detail particularly when it involves the youngest members of the family. Parents have the opportunity to explore whether this is right for them and sometimes be helpful to talk things over with a qualified professional as a one off consultation.
FAMILIES CENTRE MEETINGS
We hold Families Centre Meetings for all families registered at the centre.
This is an opportunity for parents/carers to get together, find out what is happening at the centre and to give feedback on services and discuss future activities.
This meeting is a service user forum where all users are able to have their voices heard