PROJECTS IN THE DIOCESE

(For further information, contacts or to help with any of our projects, please contact the MUoffice)

Parenting                           

One of the special aspects of the Mothers' Union Parenting Programme is the fun and enjoyable way people are taught facilitation skills through a participatory approach. Mothers' Union has developed and extended the support it was already offering to parents in the parish and wider community with its Parenting Programme, which trains members to lead and facilitate parenting groups. Each parenting group varies enormously. Typically a group consists of six to ten parents and meet for six to eight weeks. They share with one another the joys and challenges of being a parent, learn more about the parent child relationship, and develop friendships and mutually supportive networks.

The trained facilitator helps the parenting group become more cohesive, open and able to talk about experiences and ideas.

Facilitators encourage parents to attend groups by pointing out that everyone can have difficult times and sometimes wonder if they are parenting in the best way. Facilitators are not experts and don’t have all the answers. They are there to help the groups work closely together and to give encouragement. Videos, books and leaflets are used as the groups share problems and pleasures and help each other in the hardest job anyone can have.

Parenting courses are held across this diocese with particular success in Churchdown.

Prisons

Mothers’ Union is involved with over 80 prisons throughout the UK and Ireland. There are now over 1,000 Mothers' Union members who volunteer in a variety of roles, many of which are under the auspices of the Chaplain.

There are currently more than 73,000 prisoners in the UK, with projections indicating that this could rise over the next 10 years to in excess of 100,000, unless action is taken.

Mothers’ Union’s involvement in prisons is very varied; sometimes Mothers' Union is in sole charge of running a project or initiative. On other occasions Mothers' Union provides volunteers to work in conjunction with another organisation inside the prison.

In Gloucester Diocese Mothers' Union helps in two prisons. In Leyhill Open Prison we help with the children's play area so that the children of those visiting prisoners can be occupied Often we get Dad to come and play which we feel important. At present this is run on a Saturday and Sunday afternoon and on Wednesday afternoon in school holidays. It is rewarding work and we are assured that prisoners and their families appreciate it. At Eastwood Park Women's Prison a new Mother & Baby Unit has recently opened. The Mothers Union has started to visit the mums and babies - initially to chat with the mums and play with the babies - and now, also. taking the babies out into the community as this is felt to be important.. It is still early days but we are sure, with God's help, we can be as successful here as with our very different work at Leyhill.

Mothers’ Union AFIA (Away From It All) Holiday Scheme

Mothers’ Union AFIA holidays are a practical and important way to help support family life. Each year the MU nationally offers on average 600 families a holiday through the AFIA holiday scheme.

The scheme is funded by the members of Mothers' Union and enables around 1,000 adults and 1350 children to get away for a break in the UK each year. Each diocese has a team of Mothers' Union members who organise the scheme. They will normally help with part of the cost of a holiday or with travel expenses. In some cases they are able to pay the whole cost but diocesan funds are often limited. The scheme is open to anyone who is under stress. Applicants do not have to be a member of a church or any organisation. It is also possible for people to apply personally or on the behalf of someone else. Each application needs the support of one of the following professionals such as a clergyperson, doctor, head teacher or social worker. Other basic information such as when the family last had a holiday and the reason why they would like a break should also be included.

AFIA is also arranging days out for The Haven including outings to Farm Park, Weston-super-Mare and the Activity Day.

Community

Mothers' Union is involved in many ways with local communities.

• Help with the elderly : 24 branches help in residential homes or day centres

St Catharine's Mothers' Union run a "Knit & Natter" group in Wotton Rise Nursing Home on the 1st Wednesday of the month making squares for blankets to be sent to Oxfam

• Children : 36 branches run or help with Mother and Toddler groups, Children's clubs and pram services

• Open the Book: 8 branches run or help with this initiative to take Bible stories into Primary schools.

Spectacles for Africa

Mothers' Union members collect and wash unwanted spectacles to be sent to African countries. This has had much more significance since the Literacy Programme began. Hundreds, if not thousands of pairs have been sent over the past few years - the picture below from Rwanda shows that they are well used!