The Lifestart Foundation is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in N.Ireland with its Registered Office situated at:
11A Bishop Street, Derry/L’derry, N.Ireland BT48 6PL. Company No: NI41705 -
Lifestart Foundation
Educating parents, developing children
Educating parents, developing children
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HISTORY OF LIFESTART
HISTORY OF THE LIFESTART FOUNDATION
Lifestart began as two projects -
The question that was being asked by both areas at the beginning stage of Lifestart was:
If you want to break a cycle of deprivation and lack of inclusion:
¨ Where would you work?
¨ With whom would you work?
¨ What would you do?
The founders were very aware of the huge developmental potential in children aged from birth to five years.
They also recognised the importance of actively including parents in their children’s development.
But how might you do that? And when would you begin?
Between 1985 and 1989 a number of feasibility studies were carried out to ascertain whether one should work with: teenagers who are just beginning to be interested in relationships and commitment; mothers and toddlers in a centre; or groups of adults on the issue of parenting.
There was a lot of deliberation about whether to develop a programme for parents or a programme for children – could you really contribute most effectively to the growth of very young children without including parents as part of the equation?
Short term courses were run with different groups on issues such as relationships, communication, self esteem.
While there is merit in working with teenagers on these issues, it was concluded that rather than focus on those who might become parents, that it would be more effective to focus on those who were actually parenting.
They also recognised the importance of actively including parents in their children’s development.
But how might you do that? And when would you begin?
Between 1985 and 1989 a number of feasibility studies were carried out to ascertain whether one should work with: teenagers who are just beginning to be interested in relationships and commitment; mothers and toddlers in a centre; or groups of adults on the issue of parenting.
There was a lot of deliberation about whether to develop a programme for parents or a programme for children – could you really contribute most effectively to the growth of very young children without including parents as part of the equation?
Short term courses were run with different groups on issues such as relationships, communication, self esteem.
While there is merit in working with teenagers on these issues, it was concluded that rather than focus on those who might become parents, that it would be more effective to focus on those who were actually parenting.