For over five years, LifeLine Projects’ Champions Support Network (CSN) has been helping parents and carers strengthen their skills, build confidence, and connect with others in their community. Launched during the COVID lockdown, the programme offered workshops on resilience, stress management, communication, self-esteem, and dealing with conflict, along with issues such as youth violence, child exploitation, stop and search, substance misuse, and the gang matrix.
As families’ needs have changed, CSN continues to adapt. Recently, the programme has delivered workshops dealing with problems in daily life, bullying, and mental health.
“We wanted to give parents and carers training that not only builds on the life skills we’ve been teaching for years but also equips them to mentor others effectively,” said Tilishia Green, Families and Communities Manager. “This way, the learning continues to ripple out into the community.”
The workshops enhance the roles of our peer mentors, giving them skills for effective mentoring, like communication and listening skills, and personal reflection.
“CSN started as a way to help families cope during uncertain times,” Tilishia Green reflected. “Now, it’s about empowering them to lead, mentor, and be a source of strength for others.”
Q&A with Tilishia
What was the original aim of the Champions Support Network, and how has it evolved since it began during the COVID lockdown?
We do a lot of face-to-face workshops as well as going out on trips, like to museums. We find stuff parents will enjoy with their children on a budget—we’re showing what a great city we’re in and what you can do for free.
The workshops have evolved in that they’re a lot more interactive now; we’re having more conversations being instigated by parents to support other parents and we’re inviting guest speakers to speak on specialist subjects.
How do the skills taught complement the life skills workshops delivered by LifeLine?
It gives more focus on the current challenges families are facing, a guided space to talk about issues in a professional capacity. It instils confidence, makes them feel like they’ve achieved something.
Some of the workshop topics include understanding how to work with families that has a child involved in criminal activities, encouraging healthy eating, and supporting parents with a SEN child.
How have the needs, concerns, or challenges faced by parents and carers changed in recent years?
Many parents we work with are in a financial crisis—it means harsh decisions have to be made in their homes. The cost of living has not eased up; they have children not wanting to go back to school after lockdown, with more anxieties than previous generations. A lot of families are finding it hard to cope.
Families are a mirror of the change happening in the country and in our local community. They have less benefits than before and the help they’re receiving is at risk of being cut.
What’s your long-term vision for the Champions Support Network?
This is the last year of the programme, so I’d like it to leave a legacy. I’d like to see parents becoming more empowered and continuing with the coffee mornings—hopefully passing on their knowledge to upcoming parents and people who’ve moved into the area. We’re encouraging parents to apply for grants, and we’ve taught them how to do that.
It would be nice if they stay in touch with us. Just because the project ends doesn’t mean it has to stop out there in the community.