Parenting Focus

24/09/2025

The Men’s Minds Matter Legacy Document captures the learning, achievements, and impact of work undertaken in Derry/Londonderry and the Northwest since 2021.

The Men’s Minds Matter project was born from a recognition that men in our communities often face barriers to accessing mental health and wellbeing support. Through co-design with local men, Parenting Focus helped create safe and meaningful spaces where men could connect, share experiences, and shape the services they need. Over the past three years, the project has established men’s cafés, activity groups, public empathy tent events, and collaborative partnerships with community and statutory services – all rooted in amplifying men’s voices and reducing isolation.

This work has demonstrated the importance of father- and male-focused wellbeing initiatives in strengthening families and communities, and we hope it will inform and inspire future practice.

It is with sadness that we share this legacy as Parenting Focus is now closing. However, we do so with pride in what was achieved together with the men of the Northwest, and with the hope that these outcomes will continue to shape services and community supports in the years ahead.

You can read the full Legacy -https://parentingfocus.org/images/75061-Parenting-Focus-Brochure-v2-Digital.pdf

23/09/2025

It is with great sadness we announce that after 46 years, Parenting Focus will close on 30 September 2025.

We are proud to have supported families across Northern Ireland since 1979, and to ensure our legacy continues, many of our programmes will carry on with trusted partners in Northern Ireland, ensuring families receive the vital support they need.

We would like to thank our staff, volunteers, partners, funders, supporters, and service users who have worked with us during the past four decades and placed their trust in us.

Read our full statement here: https://www.parentingfocus.org/news/parenting-focus-to-close-after-46-years-of-supporting-families-across-northern-ireland

04/09/2025

📣DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE PARENTS WORKSHOP NEXT WEEK 📲💻

🔔 FREE EVENT FOR ALL PARENTS 🔔

Our Parenting in a Digital World workshop will take place on ZOOM on 17th September from 10 - 11:30am. Often parents can feel unable to keep up with how fast technology and social media are evolving and as a result they can be unsure on how to navigate and monitor their child's social media usage. This session is designed to increase knowledge and open discussion around the "digital world". Scan the QR code to register for the event.

28/08/2025

🔔 FREE EVENT FOR ALL PARENTS 🔔

Our Parenting in a Digital World workshop will take place on ZOOM on 17th September from 10 - 11:30am. Often parents can feel unable to keep up with how fast technology and social media are evolving and as a result they can be unsure on how to navigate and monitor their child's social media usage. This session is designed to increase knowledge and open discussion around the "digital world". Scan the QR code to register for the event.

22/08/2025

Parenting Focus will be closed on Monday 25th August for the Bank Holiday re-opening on Tuesday 26th August.

If you are seeking support over the Bank Holiday weekend, please refer to the Family Support NI website, www.familysupportni.gov.uk, or alternatively the Helplines NI website, www.helplinesni.com.

09/07/2025

Parenting Focus will be closed from Monday 14th July 2025 to Friday 18th July.
If you are seeking support over this week, please refer to the Family Support NI website, www.familysupportni.gov.uk, or alternatively the Helplines NI website, www.helplinesni.com.

01/07/2025

The summer months, with longer evenings and holidays, are perfect for family bonding. Use this summer to focus on your relationship as a family, spend quality time together and make memories. Here are six tips for family bonding this summer.

You can also read the article on our website about the Importance of Spending Time Together - https://parentingfocus.org/resources/time-together-importance

25/06/2025

Children are exposed to all sorts of news and naturally they will have questions about topics that might not have straightforward answers. Please see a list of resources below or the QR codes in the poster for some helpful resources for parents on how to address these topics in an honest but age-appropriate way.

Asylum seeker mythbuster: 6 myths about asylum in the UK – Greater Manchester Law Centre

Refugee & Asylum Seeker Myth Busters | The Children's Society

Myth Busters – Asylum Seekers - Education North Tyneside

Migrant Housing Myths

Talking to your kids about racism | UNICEF Parenting;

Talking to children about racism | NSPCC:

Racism and violence: helping children to handle the news;

How to talk to your children about race and racism

How to talk to kids about hard things | Save The Children UK;

How to talk to children about difficult topics | NSPCC;

Southport attacks: How to talk to children about upsetting news - BBC News

Save the Children UK | When sad and shocking events happen and are prominent in the news, children often have questions. After the shocking and devastating… | Instagram

24/06/2025

On 21 June 2023, the Independent Review of Children’s Services called for urgent reform in Northern Ireland. Two years later, progress remains slow.

Today, the Reimagine Collective, a coalition of leading children's charities, is calling attention to three critical issues that must be addressed now:

1️⃣ We need a single agency for children and family services - to ensure joined-up, responsive, and accountable services.

2️⃣ We must end the privatisation of care. Children's lives are not commodities. Public money should go to services that prioritise children, not shareholders.

3️⃣ Reform must invest in early intervention and family support – moving away from crisis intervention.

It’s time for bold action. Let’s reimagine a system that truly works for every child.

👉 You can read the report here https://tinyurl.com/3585md3m

24/06/2025

Talking about emotions is an essential first step to understanding, processing and managing emotions. Parenting Focus have devised 6 key tips for parents on how to help their child manage their emotions.

23/06/2025

The Big Summer Read starts this Friday, 27th June. This exciting time travel adventure is for primary school children.

Happy reading 📚 everyone!

Get ready for 66 days of reading excitement! 📚

This summer, we're inviting all young readers to hop aboard their imagination-powered time machines. Every page takes you on a new adventure – the Big Summer Read starts Friday 27 June! 📅

19/06/2025

Social media and technology is inescapable in today's world. It can be difficult for parents to navigate the seemingly endless number of new apps and trends which can leave them confused on the best way to protect their child online. Our intern student Zoë has designed this wonderful guide for parents who are considering getting their child their first phone. Scan the QR code or follow the link to our website to read the full guide.
https://parentingfocus.org/news/a-how-to-guide-to-your-childs-first-phone