Parent & carer workshops
Parents have a significant influence over their children throughout their teens, but the world for young people is a very different place than it was for their parents, including in their vulnerability to risk from drugs and alcohol. The DSM Foundation delivers interactive workshops for parents and carers in schools, colleges and community venues, which provide great opportunities for parents and carers to become more aware of what issues their children face, what they can do to help them stay safe and how to go about those important conversations at home that can sometimes be difficult to navigate.
Workshops involve finding out about:
- levels of young people’s exposure to drugs and alcohol – what, where, when, how
- what young people and their parents/carers need to know about the risks of drugs and alcohol
- factors that affect young people’s decisions about drugs and alcohol, including teenage brain development
- how to have effective conversations with children and teens about drugs and alcohol
- practical suggestions for what parents and carers can do to support their children to stay safe
- what to do if parents have concerns and where to find help
- where to go for further information and support.
To find out what a workshop covers, watch this short (three minute) film:
Feedback on our workshops
Feedback from parents after workshops is always very positive, and attendees always leave saying every parent needs to come to one of these workshops as it gives them greater confidence to handle those important conversations at home.
“Thank you so very much to Fiona and her team from the DSM foundation for the absolutely brilliant, courageous and informative talk to parents at Greenshaw High School this evening.”
“Such a personal, heartfelt and informed presentation. Very relatable. Thank you.”
"A real eye opener for parents"
Contact bookings@dsmfoundation.org.uk if you would like to discuss organising a workshop for your community or faith group. If you would like to attend a workshop at your child’s school or college speak to school staff.
