York has been chosen to pilot a new initiative to help support parents and enhance their parenting skills.

Organised by City of York Council's Children's Trust Unit, 'Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities', was originally developed in the USA, and is being trialled in a number of areas, including York, as part of the government-funded Parenting Pathfinder initiative.

The programme promotes violence-free, healthy lifestyles and aims to build on parents own values, rather than telling them how they should be parenting.

The scheme aims to:
- enhance the relationship between parents and their children through anger management and solution building
- increase respectful behaviour
- help mothers and fathers understand how their backgrounds influence their behaviour
- encourage parents to access community resources and become involved or set up their own community activities
- illustrate how to reduce violence in all settings  - in the community, in the home and against themselves.

The programme will initially be trialled in four areas of the city - Acomb/Foxwood, New Earswick, Clifton and Fulford - and is open to parents of children aged between eight and 13 years of age. The first trials start in April, with further programmes planned in other parts of the city, including a 'dads only' course, later in the year.

The sessions run for one morning or afternoon per week for 13 weeks.  Lunch will be provided and child care is available for younger children.

Anyone wanting to book a place on the course should contact the council's Children's Trust Unit on 01904 554344 or email liz.savage@york.gov.uk