ACTION FOR CHILDREN LAUNCHES BI-LINGUAL PARENT TALK SERVICE FOR WALES

• Parent Talk Wales launches with 1:1 support for parents in Welsh

Action for Children has launched its Parent Talk online parenting advice service in Wales with access to Welsh speaking staff for 1:1 advice and support. Parent Talk connects parents and carers with trained parenting coaches via its confidential one-to-one online chat service which gives parents somewhere to turn for free, practical advice and emotional support.

WELSH TRANSLATION BELOW

The new service, partly funded from the Department for Education and Home Office Vulnerable Children National Charities Strategic Relief Fund (VCNCSRF), was launched after the charity saw a surge of 415% in the first three months of lockdown to its digital parenting advice service across the UK.  The demand for the service was underlined by a YouGov survey of over 2000 parents by Action for Children in June revealing the devastating impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on millions of families across Britain, with parents and children struggling to cope with issues caused by life in lockdown.

After months of lockdown over a third of parents in Wales (38%) said that their children were feeling isolated and lonely, with millions across the UK also reported as anxious, or unable to sleep. This left almost half (47%) of those parents feeling anxious and more than a quarter (29%) admitting to being out of their depth when it came to supporting their children during the lockdown.

Parent Talk offers free, down-to-earth information and advice for parents of children aged 0-19 from Action for Children. The confidential one-to-one online chat service connects parents directly with a parenting coach for judgement-free practical advice and emotional support whilst the website answers some of the most common parenting questions. Parenting coaches are qualified and experienced support workers, childminders, play practitioners and teachers.

Bethan Watts is Action for Children’s programme team lead for Parent Talk in Wales and part of team who can respond in Welsh.  She said: “This is such an important and innovative service for parents and families.  The pandemic has created all sorts of extra pressure and demands that will only increase as we approach Christmas so to be able to provide this service in Welsh is very important.  It will enable Welsh speaking parents express themselves more comfortably and accurately helping us to provide better outcomes for families.

“With so many mums and dads in desperate need of guidance, a service like Parent Talk is needed now more than ever. Our parent coaches are there for any questions parents have – big or small. Anyone who needs a bit of support in these tough times and want to do so in Welsh can go to www.parent-talk.org.uk/wales”

Lynn Giles, Parent Talk Manager at Action for Children, added: “We’re absolutely delighted we have been able to launch this critical service in Welsh.  Over 20% of the population in Wales are Welsh speakers and it is vital parents can communicate their worries and concerns in Welsh.  This bi-lingual service launch underlines our ongoing commitment to the Welsh language and we are very proud we can offer it at this most challenging of times.

“The pandemic has triggered a crisis for mums, dads and children on an unprecedented scale, with parents feeling overwhelmed without their usual support from friends and family, or any certainty for the future. Huge numbers of children will need extra support over the coming months and parents are telling us they don’t know where to turn. As the immediate health crisis passes we now need to turn our attention to the scars coronavirus has left on families struggling with a whole new reality –  with many grieving from having lost loved ones, and others worrying about their jobs and their futures.  Parent Talk is here with practical and emotional support and I’m thrilled it is now available in Welsh.”

Safeguarding Minister for the UK Government, Victoria Atkins said: “The tougher measures to manage the spread of coronavirus mean that parents and children across Wales may feel more vulnerable and cut off from support.  Innovative projects like Parent Talk offer those who may be struggling some practical and emotional support.  With government backing, Action for Children will be able to continue to provide this essential service to parents and children during this challenging time.”