The idea
The Raft Leicester would like to extend their popular pilot events at Boost Leicester for care-experienced families. These events are private hire, run at a discounted ticket price and tailored to meet the complex needs of the families that attend. Everything from pre-event communication, booking and onboarding, welcome, lighting, sound, break out sensory rooms, staff and volunteer engagement and curated content to support discussions between parents and carers go towards providing a well-valued resource for families who have been bounced around by life, many of whom are really struggling. We would like to develop these monthly sessions through providing additional support and content for parents, carers and kids through 1. providing 'drop in' support practitioners at the events (medical, mental health, wellbeing and artistic practitioners), 2. consulting carers around their needs, and 3. providing a new pilot coaching and mentoring support programme tailored to meet those needs.
What we'll deliver
- 10 monthly events for care-experienced families Oct 24-Oct 25, 8 by 30 July 25
- Pilot bespoke coaching support programme for at least 5 families
- At least 16 hours of professional support to families the Boost sessions
- Trauma-informed training for Boost staff and volunteers
- DBS checks for volunteers
- Programme to include at least 5x 1hr 1:1 sessions per delegate
- Funded tickets to the Boost sessions for families that need it
Why it's a great idea
Reduced sense of isolation for carers and kids. Development of a social network and contacts for families to journey with in-between events. Improved health, wellbeing and resilience, as the kids are active nearly 100% of the hour and bouncing is proven to help with mind/ body integration, left/ right brain hemisphere integration and increased recovery from the impacts of trauma and adverse life experiences on the body. Increased social and emotional development for children and carers, as the venue is large and versatile enough to accommodate a range of attachment and sensory needs. Reduced feelings of shame, i.e. being 'the only one who is fostered/ adopted' through being part of something bigger than the immediate family unit which brings feelings of safety. Positive experiences of extra-curricular activities for children that often struggle to access due to attachment, sensory/ SEND needs. Ability to spot and support carers in need of further support. Reduction in school anxiety.
Steps to get it done
- Booking the Boost events
- Deliver first event
- Book in a programme of practitioners to attend events
- Deliver Christmas event
- Create/ amend the support programme through focus group needs assessment
- Advertise the support programme
- Receive and process applications for the support programme
- Kick off support programme
- Deliver 1:1 coaching sessions and support programme
- Evidence impact
The sessions will take place on a Sunday, so school anxiety will be reduced. Feelings of burnout and the need for associated additional Council-funded assessment and intervention will be reduced, through offering a neutral, family-friendly environment and a safe space to offload and informally talk to professionals and volunteers 'who get it'. Carers will be consulted, supported and empowered through the delivery a bespoke coaching and mentoring programme, provided by a certified Level 7 'Physical Intelligence' Coach, to improve emotional and physical resilience and wellbeing, stress management, strength, motivation, flexibility and endurance in the caring role. The hope is that through the Boost events, associated community and support programme that carers remain longer in service, and that there is a reduction in carers leaving the profession. The quality of life for carers and kids will be improved. The impact of the support will then be used to attract further charity funds.
