When the team in Newham set out to deliver Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) they were drawn to the programme’s holistic approach, one that speaks directly to the everyday realities of parents navigating challenges like behaviour, aggression and societal pressure.
But was SFSC the right choice?
In this blog, facilitators Launthea and Mahpara from the London Borough of Newham reflect on their honest experience delivering SFSC, revealing how often overlooked details make a significant difference. From the practical to the personal, their experience offers practical tips for facilitators seeking to empower parents, support diverse needs and how to build real community.
Getting the basics right: Venue matters
The importance of choosing the right venue is often underestimated, but it can influence everything from participation to safeguarding.
Launthea and Mahpara decided on a venue for its central location, accessibility, strong transport links, and willingness to host. A site visit confirmed the room was well-sized, private, and equipped to meet the group’s needs, but the venue, being a school, came with its own logistical and safeguarding challenges.
Delivering in a school environment brings an added layer of responsibility. Unlike community centres or workplace sites, schools have direct access to children and families, meaning safeguarding measures must be more robust and closely aligned with school protocols. This was a key consideration for the team and helped underscore the thinking and rigour behind their approach.
“We had to escort parents from reception due to the room’s distance and lack of onsite staff. The acoustics were also tricky – voices carried, and we often needed to gently manage the volume,” they recalled.
Despite these issues, adaptability was key. Careful coordination and a proactive approach helped maintain a supportive, inclusive learning environment.
Facilitator Tip: Don’t underestimate venue logistics. Assess safeguarding, facilities, accessibility and acoustics early – safeguarding requirements can shift depending on the type of venue facilities. Build in time to adapt as needed.
Planning with purpose
Preparation doesn’t stop once the session plan is written. For Mahpara and Launthea, regular planning meetings were essential.
“One of our biggest takeaways on delivering, SFSC, was the importance of preparation,” they shared. Regular planning sessions gave the facilitators the space and confidence to anticipate and adapt to a wide range of needs, from language support to neurodiversity, but real time reflection was just as important:
“Real time reflection and responsiveness during sessions were just as crucial, particularly when working with a group of diverse learners. We learned that ensuring accessibility for parents with additional learning needs, including language barriers or neurodiversity requires not just reasonable adjustments but creativity and flexibility.”
Facilitator Tip: Build in time for both pre-session planning and in-session reflection. Even a 10 minute debrief with your co-facilitator can spark small changes that support inclusion. Reflection doesn’t have to be formal, just honest.
Supporting diverse needs
Creativity and flexibility came through in several practical ways, and supporting parents with diverse needs was a central part of the team’s approach. For one parent with dyslexia, visual materials were adapted with coloured paper, adjusted screen colours, and larger text, small changes that helped her stay engaged and even lead group activities.
She was invited to lead a flip chart activity and stepped into a quiet leadership role, prompting others for their reflections and contributing her own. Her confidence visibly grew and her participation enriched the group dialogue. Her growth showed that small, thoughtful adjustments can unlock deeper engagement for everyone.
To support different learning styles, the facilitators incorporated tactile and visual aids: flip charts, post-Its, cards, illustrations, and even real objects like food, clothing, and culturally relevant materials. These tools made abstract or complex concepts more tangible and accessible
The facilitators also recognised that certain topics, such as the Mental Rite of Passage, culture and family, and praise, often triggered emotional blocks for parents. For many, these were conversations they had never had the opportunity to explore. By adjusting the session structure and allowing extra time for reflection, the team created space for meaningful dialogue. This approach demonstrated a thoughtful sensitivity to the group’s emotional readiness and helped build trust and deeper connection within the sessions.
These adaptations and approaches made a noticeable difference and resulted in more engaged and confident parents.
Facilitator Tip: Don’t treat inclusion as an add-on, embed it from the beginning. Ask parents about their learning needs early on, and be open to adapting materials.
Culture, Connection and Celebration
One of SFSC’s unique strengths is its emphasis on culture, heritage, and identity. For many parents, this opened the door to connection and healing.
During cultural sharing weeks, families brought homemade meals or ready-made treats that reflected their heritage, sharing the flavours and traditions they grew up with.
“We were struck by how powerfully this experience cultivated a deep sense of connection, kindness, and genuine care. It wasn’t about differences; rather, it highlighted our shared humanity. Race, heritage and origin faded into the background as excitement and appreciation took over.”
The facilitators saw parents grow in self-awareness, especially around identity, and shared how one parent, who had previously denied having a culture, began to embrace their heritage with pride. While another, initially shy and reserved with additional needs, grew into a confident group voice.
These were moments of transformation, not just for the parents, but for the facilitators too.
“These moments reminded us of the emotional weight some parents carry, and how spaces like SFSC can offer healing and validation.”
Facilitator Tip:
Create space for cultural sharing alongside open discussions on race and racism. This is more than an activity, it’s an opportunity for connection, healing, and empowerment. Encourage families to celebrate their identity in ways that feel authentic to them. These moments can build trust, shift perspectives, and deepen group unity in powerful, unexpected ways.
Final Reflections
“Overall, this experience has affirmed our belief in SFSC’s impact and given us greater confidence as facilitators. With each session, we saw how the programme supports long-term change, not just for parents but for us as practitioners too.”
From venue logistics to cultural celebration, Launthea and Mahpara’s experience offers a practical, grounded perspective on what it really takes to deliver SFSC successfully – with empathy, flexibility, and trust in the process.
“The experience also deepened our understanding of how the programme empowers parents. Watching parents grow in self-awareness, especially around cultural identity, was powerful.”
Their journey shows that when facilitators create space for reflection, connection, and inclusion, SFSC becomes more than a programme, it becomes a shared experience of growth for everyone involved.
Ready to deliver SFSC?
Whether you’re a new facilitator or looking to deepen your practice, let this case study from Newham inspire your approach.
Take a look through our step-by-step guide for trained facilitators is also available to help to set up and deliver the SFSC programme. This guide covers:
- Organising your programme
- Completing the paperwork
- Getting support
Celebrating 25 years of SFSC
Join us at the 2025 SFSC conference on Friday 19th September, as we celebrate 25 years of Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities. This event is a unique opportunity to explore how SFSC’s learning continues to shape inclusive, community-based parenting and family support, especially in diverse and marginalised communities.
This is the perfect event for facilitators to:
- Learn from inspiring keynote speakers
- Gain insights from research and frontline practice
- Take part in interactive workshops designed to build inclusive, community-driven family support
- Connect with fellow facilitators, practitioners, and policy leaders
Whether you’re just starting out or leading delivery across your area, this is a unique opportunity to grow, share, and shape the future of SFSC.
