TalkFIRST

13/10/2026

Who doesn't do a little smile when pulling into 🚂 Hindley Station or standing on the platform 🪻🌹🍂 ? Lets share the love 😊 .. and give the amazing dedicated team the chance of the BIG prize 🥇 Click the link, scroll and tick the Hindley box ... easy as that! 🙌

Then share far and wide and make the magic 🪄 happen!😁

Better planning for the railway's future We are working towards earlier, more significant and joined up industry input into the long term railway planning and

09/10/2026

Excellent communication advice! But if you're thinking of making that court application .. did you know you have to see a mediator first? If you're struggling give TalkFIRST a call. Happy to hear what's going on for you, and see if we can help.

07/10/2026

As adults, when we cry or stamp our feet .. we can explain why. Our little ones rely on us to work it out.. and help then feel safe and understood.

💛 Behind every behaviour is a feeling… and behind every feeling is a need.

Children, especially younger children, are still learning how to understand and manage their emotions. Sometimes they simply don’t have the words yet, so their feelings come out through their behaviour.

😡 Anger might be saying: “This is too much for me.”
😢 Tears might be saying: “I’m overwhelmed and I need some comfort.”
😤 Frustration might be saying: “I’m finding this really difficult.”
🙅‍♀️ Refusing might be saying: “I need some control or I need more time.”

It’s okay for children to have big emotions. ❤️

As adults, we have years of experience learning how to manage frustration, disappointment and anger — and even we don't always get it right! So why do we expect children to behave perfectly when they're still learning?

One really helpful thing we can do is reflect their feelings back to them:

💬 “I can see you're really angry right now.”
💬 “That was really frustrating, wasn't it?”
💬 “You really didn't want that to happen.”
💬 “I think you're feeling upset because we had to stop playing.”

This doesn't mean we have to agree with every behaviour or allow unsafe behaviour. We can still have boundaries while helping children understand what's happening inside them.

Connection before correction. 💛

When we help children put words to their feelings, we're giving them the tools they need to gradually learn how to manage those feelings themselves.

And remember… children don't come with a handbook! 📖
We're all learning, parents included. Some days we get it right, some days we don't — and that's okay too. 🥰

06/10/2026

Get Grants online conference today. Here's some stats:

85% of charitable income goes to just 4% of charities.

Meanwhile, small charities share just 3% of the funding.

Yet small charities (and charitable orgs) are often the organisations working right at the heart of their communities — responding quickly, building trusted relationships and supporting people who might otherwise fall through the gaps.

At TalkFIRST, we see every day the difference that small, locally rooted charities can make.

Small charities may work with smaller budgets, but their impact is anything but small.

💛 If we want thriving communities, surely we need a funding system that gives small charities a fair chance to thrive too?



Sunshine House Wigan Wigan Borough Community First The Brick Wigan & Leigh Hospice Boxing For Better DIAS Domestic Violence Centre Well Women Centre Leigh Think Ahead Stroke Abram Ward Communities Together Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre Embrace Wigan and Leigh Daffodils Dreams Action Station NW CIC Storehouse Project Fur Clemt Ataraxia Platt Bridge Community Group Leigh Spinners Mill AllChild Empathy North West CIC

05/10/2026

01/10/2026

Our Claire doing a sterling job whilst Bev on her holidays! Looks like our grown up and tiny Tou-Canners had a ball! Groups at Ince Community Centre every Wednesday morning and Sunshine House Wigan Thursday. Come along - free group, lots of activities and fab group of parents and grandparents.. 😊

30/09/2026

Changing families can bring big feelings and plenty of questions for children.

Books like Dinosaurs Divorce and Living with Mum and Living with Dad can help explain separation and living across two homes, giving children a starting point to talk about their own feelings.

Reading together gives you time to listen, answer questions and reassure them that changes in their family are not their fault.

At TalkFIRST, we understand that these conversations aren’t always easy. If your family needs support, get in touch.

28/09/2026

Another great Wigan Borough Community First event.. screening their Hopes and Dreams film at Leigh Film Factory.. in Leigh Spinners Mill A film featuring the leaders of some of amazing charities, CICs and Community groups talking about their work, communities, challenges... and hopes and dreams!

Inspiration and optimism .. what a great sector we have!

Boxing For Better The Brick Wigan & Leigh Hospice Embrace Wigan and Leigh Wildoria CIC Body. Brain. Belief CIC Ataraxia Complete Kindness CIC Platt Bridge Community Group Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre HF Works

22/09/2026

Calm, considered words. It can be easier said than done ... busy family life, bills to pay, yet another day of deciding what to cook for tea... Talk to them, how we want them to talk to you .. even if they don't. Be their role model, show them the way.

Parent-child communication is not just about what we want children to stop doing.

It is also an invitation.

“When you speak to your child more consciously, you invite them to speak to you more consciously too.”

What might that sound like in an everyday moment?

“Let’s both use a calmer voice.”
“Let’s keep this space clean together.”
“Let’s choose words that help us feel closer.”

These are examples of putting that idea into practice. We are considering not only what we say, but what we are inviting our child to join.

Why not try this? Choose one everyday situation today. Before you speak, pause and consider how you could express yourself more consciously.

Which situation is hardest in your home: getting ready, cleaning up, or talking through a disagreement?

I share more Conscious Parenting reminders in The Conscious Parenting Handbook. Find the paperback and audiobook links in the first comment.

19/09/2026

Could you be our next Trustee?

TalkFIRST is looking for someone with a finance background to join our Board of Trustees and help support the future of the charity.

We’d love to hear from people with experience in areas such as finance, accountancy, bookkeeping, budgeting or financial oversight, alongside strong judgement and a genuine desire to make a difference.

This is a voluntary role and a great opportunity to use your skills to support local children, young people and families.

Interested, or know someone who could be a great fit?

Email [email protected] or call 01942 243620 to find out more.