What is Empowering Parents Empowering Communities (EPEC)?
Empowering Parents Empowering Communities (EPEC) is a community-based project providing parenting groups that are led by local parents, called Parent Group Leaders (PGLs). The parents who lead the groups have previously taken part in an EPEC group or another parenting group and have undertaken the ten-week EPEC Parent Group Leader training.
EPEC groups include research and practical skills to help families and their children. Through our groups, parents learn a range of positive parenting skills, support with understanding children’s feelings, effective parent-child communication and build better, more resilient family relationships.
What we offer in Flintshire
Our growing group of volunteer Parent Group Leaders offer the following each term:
Being a Parent
- Flintshire offers this group to parents with at least one child between the ages of 2 – 7 years. The group runs for 2 hours a week for 8 weeks and where possible a crèche is provided for your children.
- The groups provide you with the opportunity to meet other parents in the area and share experiences of being a parent. The groups also provide you with an opportunity to meet others who may be going through similar experiences and understand that you are not alone.
- Each week we cover a topic including - Understanding feelings, the needs behind behaviours, being a parent and much more.
If you have any questions about the group or would like further information please do not hesitate it get in touch.
If you are interested in finding out more about the group please fill in the form and someone will be in touch with you.
Register your interest
“I’m really enjoying the course, it is nice meeting the other mums and its reassuring knowing you are not the only person feeling the way you do. It’s been a boost and a release if I’m honest, makes me feel less alone”
Baby and Us
- For parents with a child between the ages of 0-9 months. The group runs for 2 hours a week for 8 weeks. Your babies are welcome to come and join us in the sessions too.
- The groups provide parents in Flintshire with an opportunity to meet other parents in the area and enjoy a cup of tea together. The group helps you feel more confident as a parent and also learn about your baby’s development.
- Each week we cover a different topic including - Getting to know your baby’s personality, managing stress, taking care of yourself and much more.
If you are interested in finding out more about the group please fill in the form and someone from our friendly team will be in touch with you.
Register your interest
Parent Group Leaders
- All EPEC groups are run by fully trained Parent Group Leaders. Here in Flintshire, we run the Parent Group Leader training once a year (usually within the September term).
- The training is 10 full days, taking place over 10 weeks and where possible a crèche is available.
- Parents gain the required knowledge, skills and confidence to facilitate our groups with other parents. The training is aimed offered at to parents who have previously taken part in an EPEC group or other parenting groups, as we know it is important to experience the group first, and many parents find it so valuable they want to go on and share their learning with others. It is also a great way to gain training and skills for employment, and in relationships!
What training and support do you get?
- Introductory accredited Level 2, 3 credits 6-10 day EPEC Group Leader training supported by a crèche.
- An opportunity to attend additional training within the Council - Safeguarding, Data Protection, Domestic Abuse and much more
- Ongoing fortnightly supervision to maintain quality, review safeguarding and course issues.
- Supervisor observation of Parent Group Leader practice and course delivery.
- Continuing development sessions to exchange skills, reflect on practice, revisit and review course structures and organisation, and co-design new developments.
We hope to expand the offer as more parents volunteer and give to their community. Watch this space!
If you are interested in finding out more about the training please fill in the form by clicking the button below and someone will be in touch with you.
Register your interest
“Thank you…. I have really really enjoyed it, and so glad that I signed up. It has given me such a confidence boost not only realising that I able to do it but also hearing the feedback from all the parents. I’m really looking forward to the next group now.”
“Being a PGL means so much to me! I gained friends, confidence and it also helps me to revisit all the tools of the course and use them on and on”