AfC info for Kingston and Richmond

February marks (9 to 15 Feb) and as part of that, we’re highlighting : a safe, anonymous app for young people to share their feelings without judgment.

This year’s Children's Mental Health Week theme is ‘This is My Place’ - and for many, that safe place is Tellmi. 💛

Here's how it works

1️⃣ Post anonymously
2️⃣ Get support from peers
3️⃣ Stay safe with human moderation

"‘I actually didn’t realise how much better this app can make someone feel. I love being able to ask my own questions and just the experience of trying to help even one other person helps me to feel happier too.’ - Tellmi user

Tellmi is completely confidential and can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store or Google Play, or accessed via Tellmi's web app: https://tellmi.app/landing

Download. Offload. Feel better.

If you haven't seen it already, we have our Music Explorers course coming up this Easter. Get registered today to secure your child's place! No music experience needed, this course is for all 6-11 year olds. visit: https://buff.ly/41iI75i

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! We have a limited number of fantastic seats still available for this unforgettable event. It's an experience that will have you buzzing with excitement long after it's over. Secure your tickets now before they're all gone! Check out the link for more details and join the excitement https://buff.ly/40Og9y9 .

Early years: Health and care needs of under-5s and their families. Healthwatch Kingston are asking parents and carers about their views on the health and care needs of children under-5 and their families in Kingston.
Setting the foundations for health and wellbeing during pregnancy and in the early years of life is crucial to ensure every child has the best start in life.
Complete the survey, provide your email contact at the end, and you may be one of three people to WIN a £50 participation VOUCHER.
The link is in the comments below.

Transform your health and confidence - learn about healthy eating and do some hands-on cooking. It's not just about reducing sugar, salt and fat in your diet! Eating for Bettter Health is offering a 5 session course, taught by professionals. Free! (£5 refundable fee.)

Behaviour change, session aims, ultra-processed food
The gut microbiome, plant-based foods
Fats and carbs
Proteins and legumes
Nuts and seeds, budget-friendly healthy eating

Every Tuesday for 5 weeks, beginning 11 March, 5-7pm at The Nutrition Lab, St Mary's University, Twickenham. Speak to your GP, nurse or social prescriber for a referral.

More details and booking information in the comments below.

A free course for parents - Building Confidence with Numeracy: A Maths for Parents Workshop.

Over the five sessions you will:

- Explore how numeracy is all around us, such as when shopping, cooking, and organising the day
- Brush up on the core basic maths skills: addition and subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and measurements (time, weights, size)
- Put core maths skills into real-life practice (such as when using money, helping children with their maths homework, etc.)

This is not a traditional maths class; the workshop sessions are designed to help you build confidence with numeracy skills in a relaxed and supportive environment without any pressure to 'get things right'.

Starts 28 February. Find out more about this and other free maths and numeracy classes using the link in the comments below.

Kingston children's services rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted. Achieving for Children (AfC) has been awarded the highest judgement possible by Ofsted for children's services in Kingston, receiving an Outstanding rating in all five areas of assessment. This marks Kingston's second consecutive Outstanding rating.
You can read more and the full inspection report in the link in the comments below.

Triple P Teen - parenting course for parents and carers of adolescents (11+) starting in March.

Dates: Saturdays from 10am to 2pm for 2 consecutive weeks on Saturday 1 and 8 March in the Kingston borough

Venue: To be advised.

Who is this for?
This group is for parents and carers of adolescents with mild to moderate challenging behaviour. Topics covered are as follows:

Session 1 - Positive parenting and factors that influence young people's behaviour

Session 2- Encouraging appropriate behaviour

Session 3 - Managing problem behaviour

Session 4 - Dealing with risky behaviour

Teen Triple P can help:

build a better relationship with your teenager
reduce conflict
keep your teenager safe
be realistic about parenting
take care of yourself

What happens at Group Teen Triple P?

Group Teen Triple P is a great opportunity to meet other parents in similar situations – other parents who’ll support you and share stories with you. From the start, you’ll be given tips and suggestions to suit the needs of your family. You’ll see scenes from the Every Parent’s Guide to Teenagers DVD, which will show you how the ideas work in real life. And information and handouts from each session will give you the tools and information you need to start positive parenting straight away at home. Your Teen Triple P provider will guide you every step of the way and even provide backup support should you require it as you put your new skills into practice.

How long does it take and how big are the groups?

There are about 12 to 15 parents in a group session. The Saturday groups last for 4 hours - covering 2 sessions in each - covering the four sessions which include factors affecting children's behaviour, encouraging appropriate behaviour, managing misbehaviour and dealing with risky behaviour.

Then, you’ll have a couple of weeks to practise Teen Triple P at home. Your Triple P provider will then offer a follow up one to one online meeting after this time to find out how you’re doing and offer advice if you’re having any trouble. This session will normally last approx 20 minutes.

For more information and to register contact Karen Williams:

Phone: 020 8547 6965 or 07771 974388

Email [email protected]

Webinar from ADHD Embrace: What to do while you are waiting for an assessment for a child with suspected

When is it? Tuesday, 14th January, 8pm-9:30pm.

Why has ADHD Embrace organised this webinar?
We know that the waiting time for ADHD assessments is unfortunately very long, and increasing across the country, leaving parents and young people struggling to manage with undiagnosed difficulties for lengthy periods of time before they can access support. This webinar will give parents guidance and strategies to help them support their child while they wait for a diagnosis.

What will it cover?
It will cover strategies for managing at home and with friends, strategies to use in school and in leisure activities. We will discuss what support is available to families prior to diagnosis, and how parents can support their children whilst waiting for an assessment.

Who is the speaker? Rachel Turner, Clinical Lead, AfC is an occupational therapist by background and have worked with neurodivergent people for ten years. She is currently the clinical lead for the Kingston and Richmond neurodevelopmental assessment service at Achieving for Children which assesses children for Autism and ADHD diagnosis. Rachel has a particular interest in sensory sensitivities.

Dr Sophie West, who will be joining her, is a Clinical Psychologist, and has worked in neurodevelopmental assessment and diagnosis services for children and young people since 2013. Until recently, she worked at Achieving for Children, and now works in independent practice.
Links to book are in the comments below.

Sight tests for children are FREE!

Short-sightedness is increasing, globally and in the UK.
It is now twice as common as in the 1950s and children are becoming short-sighted at an earlier age.

Over 20% of parents have never taken their child for an eye test
It is also more common in children whose

parents are short-sighted

Children from South Asian and African Caribbean families
also have a higher risk of developing short-sightedness.
The increase in close work such as reading, computers, small
screens and spending less time outside has likely driven the
rise in short-sightedness (myopia).

The College of Optometrists therefore recommend
that children, particularly those aged 5 to 12:
• Limit screen time
• Spend at least 2 hours every day outside
• Have regular sight tests
• When on the screen or reading - hold the device
or book at least 30cm from the face
The only way to prevent myopia from getting
worse is with corrective lenses.

FUEL activities are open for booking

FUEL (which stands for ‘Feed Ur Everyday Lives’) is the name for the holiday activity and food programme (HAF) in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is funded by the Department of Education and run by Achieving for Children.

We make free places at holiday clubs available during the Christmas/winter school holidays for young people who receive benefit related free school meals. Young people can attend four sessions over winter.

Information about the activities and how to book is on our website. Links in the comments below.

"I wish I’d known" webinar

“I wish I'd known” has been commissioned by the public health team in Kingston and is being run by the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation. It aims to help parents understand the risks regarding drug use and offers strategies for keeping young people safer. It is for parents/carers of secondary school-age children.

Date: 27 November
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30pm

You can register for the webinar using the link in the comments below.