‘The emotional load is heavy and often invisible’: Teen support group starts helping parents

A support group helping local teenagers build better relationships with their families says it now needs to offer help to struggling parents too.

Bridge Builders’ Wellbeing first focused on mentoring young people, but is now expanding services to mums and dads after noticing some also feel ‘overwhelmed’ with the challenges of modern family life.

The group was first set up by Nottingham mum Stephanie Ng, 47, after she heard other families talking about their problems with parenting teenagers.

It aims to help young people who are struggling to engage with their families and the real world due to increased screen time and other problems.

Parenting older children can be radically different to younger ones, Stephanie says, and the group aims to highlight the importance of giving parents a place to feel less alone and share experiences.

“A parent’s mental health is the foundation of the family, especially mums,” said Stephanie.

“Bridging the gap means parents care for their own wellbeing so they can better support their child’s – It’s the best way to prevent disconnection.”

“even one morning being seen and heard can make a big difference”

-STEPHANIE NG

The Parents’ Wellbeing Programme doesn’t pressure participants to share experiences, but is a place for coffee mornings, community walks and mindfulness workshops.

“It’s a space for parents to breathe, laugh, relax and feel supported,” Stephanie added.

“To anyone unsure, come to just one session, no commitment. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burnt out or isolated, even one morning being seen and heard can make a big difference.”

The first Parents’ Wellbeing session is being held on Friday, January 23, at Nottingham Central Library Cafe and is described as a ‘gentle’ coffee morning, with special guest Sehrish Sarwar.

Sehrish is a life coach, hypnotherapist and presenter of her own radio show, The Inner Journey on radio Dawn.

She aims to help parents understand their children’s emotions and behaviour and gives simple tools to manage stress and anxiety.

“I believe parents need extra support too,

“The emotional load is heavy and often invisible,” Stephanie said.

Bridge Builders’ aim is for all attendees to leave feeling “calmer, more confident, and better able to support their children”.

Stephanie says in future meetings there will be the opportunity to talk to wellbeing practitioners, coaches and experts who “really understand parents of pre-teens and teens”.

Bridge Builders’ Wellbeing’s support also includes a parents’ WhatsApp community focusing on skills building and wellbeing boosting for self-care and mental health tips.

Last week the group applied to convert to a social enterprise, so it is able to “stay small, stay local” and keep all their energy focused on supporting Nottingham families.