How did engaging with an online parenting programme delivered by “Empowering Parents Empowering Communities” parent volunteers during the Covid pandemic empower and benefit parents?

Abstract

This exploratory study gained insight into how effective parents and Parent Group Leaders (PGL) regarded the EPEC programme, delivered by Flintshire County, to be. The study adopted a qualitative methodological approach, underpinned by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), as this allowed the research team to explore and understand the subjective perceptions and experiences of the Parent Group Leaders and parents (Cohen et al., 2018). The focus groups held with Parent Group Leaders and discussions with parents were conducted by the Programme Co-ordinator of Empowering Parents Empowering Communities; some Parent Group Leaders supported with the parent discussions. Findings to have emerged from the study suggest that the EPEC programme is highly respected and helps to empower parents. Key findings include: • The programme gives parents an opportunity to socialise with others reducing isolation which was key during the pandemic as a number of parents felt isoalated. • Parents often feel pressured to be a perfect parent but EPEC has made them realise that it is okay to be ‘good enough’. • Parents value that the course is delivered by trained parents who have undergone the programme themselves and that it focuses on children aged 2-11 years. • Parents found that sharing experiences with other parents promoted their confidence in general and building in time for themselves improved their own mental wellbeing. • Parents want help to understand their children, to promote commnication and gain strategies to manage their children’s behaviour and EPEC provides this. • The course has helped parents with children who have complex needs. • Parents found that the course being delivered online enabled them to attend at a time that suited them for example working parents or lack of childcare during the pandemic. • All parents felt that attending EPEC had empowered/benefited them, believing it offered a lot of knowledge and understanding and would recommend the course to other parents.