Families First is an award winning initiative which responds to the impact of prison life on relationships. Through a variety of activities they educate families about values and personal relationships as part of the children and Families Pathway.
They aim to: -
Reduce Re-offending by maintaining and improving relationships between prisoners and their families.
Improve parenting skills.
Create a positive prison experience for children and families; Help raise levels of achievement in prisoners' children.
Work together with partner agencies to provide the best possible opportunities for prisoners and their families.
Programme Elements Include:
Daddy New Born - Our most popular group is for prisoners with 0-9 month babies. Here, Dad's can learn skills for parenting a new born.
Toddlers Sessions - For pre-school children. Dads can engage with their child introducing fine and gross motors skills which prepare them for school.
Homework Dads - Older children can visit on weekends and spend special time with their Dads working together as a family with their homework or current school project.
Accredited Parenting courses - Delivered by Doncaster Council/Adult Family Learning in the Community: Developing Parenting Skills. This is for prisoners to Develop Parenting skills Child Development & Play. Different types and stages of play - How adults can support the learning that takes place during play. Making activities to support children's development. - Health and Safety relating to play.
Relationship Course: Building Stronger Families - Prisoners and their partners can attend this 6 module relationship strengthening course which looks at communication, resolving conflict, forgiveness, choices and plans, commitment and money.
Social Kitchen - Prisoners and their families can attend our social kitchen to learn about low cost, healthy eating. This enables them as a family to prepare and eat a meal together.
Treasure Box - Treasure Box is aimed at prisoners who are no longer in regular contact with their children due to geographical or other reasons. Prisoners are supported in creating a treasure box in which they can place poems, stories, pictures etc. that they can send to their children or hold onto for when/if contact is restored.
Family Days - Activities such as sports days and arts and crafts workshops held during school holidays where families can work and play together.
Find out more on the HMP Doncaster website or by watching this YouTube video.
