Its over a year since GYC launched our first KidsTime group in Brockworth. Kate Moss, who is leading the planning and development of the workshops tells us about its first year and how it has developed and grown.

What does a KidsTime workshop look like?

Its once a month and kicks off with an interactive, mental health learning session for all the parents and children together. Then, whilst the adults gather to talk about parenting when you have a mental illness, the children head off to develop a short drama-based film based on mental health/mental illness. Following a pizza break for everyone, the children show their film to the adults, and everyone has the opportunity to chat about it.

How has the first year been, what have been the highlights?

I can’t believe that the Brockworth workshops have now been running for over a year – the time has raced by with so many highlights!  It’s been wonderful to see the families every month and watch the children grow not only in height, but also in confidence and self-esteem!  The families now feel very much at home in the group, and they are really building a strong community where they are trusting each other, making friends, and feeling safe to talk about mental health/illness.  The children come running into each session eager to chat about what they have done over the month or show us what they’ve brought with them.  The parents enjoy the time to talk to other parents and spend some quality time with their children.

What is the feedback from the children and parents?

Quotes from parents:   ‘I really appreciate the sense that I’m not alone’

‘I like being able to be open and honest and express personal experiences to people who understand’

Quotes from children ‘ talking about mental health is not a big deal now’

‘I like acting and meeting new friends’

What have been the challenges?

There have a been a couple of challenges - which we are working hard to overcome! We are rapidly outgrowing our present venue and are bulging at the seams, now that we have 10 families, but the school next door has kindly stepped in with the offer of extra space!  We are also always looking for extra staff to help ensure the workshop runs smoothly and all the families (with a children ranging from babies to teenagers) are supported fully.

What has it been like starting the new group in Cheltenham?
We have enjoyed getting the Cheltenham workshops up and running, building the team and welcoming the new families.  We have benefited from the experience and learning that we have gained running the sessions in Gloucester. 

We also asked Rebecca Bryan ( KidsTime project worker) why she thinks the sessions work…

The drama workshop really engages the children well whilst the parents have time to spend together.  There is a real feeling that they can open up, share experiences (that they may have never shared with others) and develop friendships and a sense of community’.

KidsTime now runs in Gloucester and Cheltenham so we are now able to offer the workshops to twenty families across the year.  

KidsTime was developed and is licensed by Our Time, a charity that campaigns on behalf of and supports children of parents with a mental illness.