Working Together - Free Parenting Classes For The New Year

Following the successful introduction of free parenting classes earlier this year, further free classes for parents of teens and pre-teens are being held by Dover District Council and Kent County Council Adult Education Service. This includes new courses at the Buckland Community Centre and Elvington Community Centre in the new year.

Organisers received positive feedback from classes at the Dover Discovery Centre and the Landmark Centre, Deal, including comments that the classes have increased learners' confidence, are helpful in giving different strategies and ideas, and would be recommended to other parents.

Classes are run by KCC Adult Education with funding from DDC's Community Safety Unit and the Home Office Respect Team. Classes meet once a week for six weeks and give parents the chance to 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.

Further classes are being held at:

Buckland Community Centre, Roosevelt Road, Dover
Thurs 9.30am - 11.30am, 18 Jan 07 - 1 Mar 07, Course Code: V039 Pro-06-N

Elvington Community Centre, Saint John's Road, Elvington
Tues 9.30am - 11.30am, 20 Feb 07 - 27 Mar 07, Course Code: V039 Pro-06-O

Cllr Mrs Julie Rook, DDC Cabinet Member for Citizenship said: "We are delighted at the success of the free parenting classes and would urge anyone who is interested to get involved. Raising children can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be incredibly frustrating. We are hoping that these classes can help to make things a little easier."

KCC Cabinet Member for Community Services Mike Hill said: "Many of our courses are aimed at involving families in learning based activities to develop their skills for life. Adult Education is about building confidence and abilities and I am very pleased these courses have been so well received."

For more information, please contact KCC Adult Education Service Coordinator Chris Perks on (01304) 244585 or log onto the DDC website at www.dover.gov.uk or just turn up on the day.