Putting Parents First in Local Communities
A Better Start for Lewisham:
“Me and My Community” Train the Trainer Course
· Enjoyable group learning experience.
Would you like to deliver a fun and friendly course that enables local parents to become involved
in supporting others in their community?
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Build their confidence
Develop their assertiveness skills
Help them discover new talents and potential
Develop their active listening skills
Develop community awareness
Nurture motivation to contribute to their community
Offer them a pathway into a variety of local volunteering opportunities
“The course has made me realise that the community in which you live...it’s
really important to be aware...I’ve never really felt part of my community. It’s
going to be really good to work alongside like-minded people and to gradually
be part of the change...that anything is possible.”
[Comment from a Parent Participant]
Aims of the course: the aim of the “train the trainer” course is to build a team of local trainers who
can deliver the 10 session Me and My Community Course to local parents
Background experience needed: the Me and My Community Course is delivered using a
co-facilitation model. Facilitators will therefore be trained to deliver the course in pairs. It is
important that the trainees have the following background experience and values in order to
deliver the course effectively:
 A deep appreciation of the value of the life experience brought by local people who want
to make a contribution to their community (essential)
 Solid experience of supporting parents in local communities
 A firm commitment to enabling parents to support other parents in their local
community using a community development model
 Sound experience of working with families or individuals who have difficulties coping
 Skills and ability to use an empowering approach
 Some group facilitating experience
Outline “Train the Trainer” course content:
1. Purpose of the Me and My Community Course and how it is designed;
2. The value of the Me and My Community Course as a first step into volunteering;
3. Exploring how delivering the course fits with the local practice area;
4. Recruiting local parents onto the course (advertising and enrolment);
5. Course content and planning;
6. Learning styles and key facilitation skills;
7. Practicing delivering the key group exercises and activities;
8. Offering informal mentoring to steer parents in the right direction;
9. Supporting parents to learn reflection skills;
10. Ongoing learning and volunteering pathways for participating parents.
Length of the course and commitment required: 2 x 2-days plus an additional day when you have
delivered your own course.
Committed to co-facilitating one Me and My Community Course within six months of completing
the two day training.
The course is free of charge but organisations need to commit to releasing staff to undertake the
train the trainer and commit to enabling the staff to then use their new skills to deliver a Me and
My Community course within Lewisham and within 6 months of undertaking the train the trainer.
Accompanying facilitator guide: each participant will have a copy of a detailed course facilitator
guide which includes; aims, content and outcomes for each session; facilitator notes; hand-outs
and evaluation methods for each session.
What Now? Complete the application form below.
Putting Parents First in Local Communities
A Better Start for Lewisham:
“Me and My Community” Train the Trainer Course
Application Form·
12 places are available. These will be prioritised to those with the most relevant background experience:
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A deep appreciation of the value of the life experience brought by local people who want to make a
contribution to their community (essential)

Solid experience of supporting parents in local communities

A firm commitment to enabling parents to support other parents in their local community using a community
development model

Sound experience of working with families or individuals who have difficulties coping

Skills and ability to use an empowering approach

Some group facilitating experience
Please outline how you feel you have the necessary background experience:
I would like to apply for a place on the course.
Name:
Organisation you work for (if currently employed):
Address:
Mobile:
Email:
I confirm I can attend all of the 4 training days (1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th of July 10am till 4pm)
Venue: tbc
I confirm that I will deliver at least one Me and My Community Course within Lewisham between August
2014 and January 2015
Signature
Date
If employed, please ask your line manager to sign below:
Name:
Position:
Contact details:
I confirm permission for the employee above to attend all 4 training days and that time will be released
from their work responsibilities so that s/he can deliver at least one course within the time frame
identified.
Signature
Date
Please return the completed Application Form to val.pope@pre-school.org.uk
As a Community Interest Company, Parents 1st has been created for community benefit
www.parents1st.org.uk
© 2009 Strengths In Communities Community Interest Company. Company Registration Number 6714737 (Trading as Parents 1st)