Southside’s Supporting Families Training Programme is a pioneering project that trains and engages people across our local communities who have lived experience of disadvantage/trauma, have overcome challenges and now would like to support other families. The project builds strong relationships between the participants and networks in local communities through the training, involvement in community hub groups and the volunteering opportunities available once they have completed the training. Previous volunteers have provided peer support and helped run community hub groups, become highly skilled Family Support Workers, set up Stay and Play sessions in local communities and many other services.

Our Supporting Families Programme trains and engages people supported by Southside who have personal experience of trauma and disadvantage. They are experts in their own right: from their lived experience, they know what worked to support them and what needs to improve. 

The training programme is also available to other local people interested in learning about supporting families dealing with multiple/complex challenges and volunteering, with potential pathways to paid employment opportunities as they gain further experience/skills/knowledge. We will promote through community hub groups and networks. The training will cover: 

• Boundaries 
• Family Support Relationships 
• Parenting; containment and resilience 
• Trauma informed practice 
• Safeguarding 
• Domestic abuse 
• Thrive (approach to supporting children to become more emotionally resilient and better placed to engage with life and learning)
 • Diversity 

This training programme is a step towards Southside roles, other volunteering and work opportunities, building local people's aspirations, confidence, workplace skills and experience to engage in other employment, volunteering and participation opportunities in local communities, helping them to fulfil their potential. We will identify opportunities for each participant to meet their needs, experience and interests, helping them gain/develop skills and confidence that will also help to secure future employed roles in supporting families and working in local communities. 

We need to raise funds of £7,340 for training, venue hire/refreshments and staff time to deliver the training programme, support participants, and develop volunteering opportunities with them.