Understanding perinatal mental health with Jayne Croston
As part of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, we spoke to Jayne Croston, Inequality Link […]
What is a KidsTime Workshop?
KidsTime Workshops are fun, supportive group sessions for families
where a parent or carer has been diagnosed with a mental illness.
The workshops offer a safe, relaxed and non-judgemental space for families to come together to learn and talk about mental illness, without shame or stigma.
Children get to meet other young people in the same situation, share experiences, get answers to questions and, most importantly, have fun!
Resources to promote KidsTime Workshops:
Bradford KidsTime Workshop – Poster
Bradford KidsTime Workshop – Leaflet
KidsTime Workshop staff and volunteers
Layla, age 8, says:
KidsTime is a good place to go because you get to play games, run about, have fun and have pizza.
Jorge, parent, says:
KidsTime means a lot to me and my daughter. To be able to share in a safe place and not be judged is a great help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Service provider
The Bradford KidsTime Workshop is provided by Mind in Bradford in partnership with Bradford District Care Trust and Our Time.
KidsTime Workshop venue
Here are some photos of the space where we run the KidsTime Workshops:
How can I attend a workshop?
- To register for a workshop please speak to your Care Coordinator.
- Bradford’s KidsTime Workshop take place on the second Thursday of the month, 5.00pm – 7.30pm at East Family Hub, 365 Barkerend Road, Bradford, BD3 8QX
- You’ll be contacted during the week of the workshop to find out if you need a taxi.
- Here is a map of the venue location:
How do KidsTime Workshops provide support?
- Children can express themselves, reducing their fears and worries
- Children de-stress, grow in confidence and learn about mental
illness through games and drama - Parents can discuss parenting and mental health problems in a
supportive group - Families share experiences and offer advice, discussing problems and solutions
Why should I attend?
- Enjoy some time out with the whole family, have fun and chat
- Make new friends and share knowledge and experiences
- Get helpful information about mental illness and ask questions
- Explore myths and fears about mental ill health, and combat stigma
- Children and families get to decide what we talk about
- There’s no pressure to talk and no-one is judged
- Families are welcome to attend as and when they can
- We provide snacks and refreshments – there’s always pizza
- We offer taxis for families that need them
What happens at a KidsTime Workshop?
- After everyone has arrived and said hello, we start with an activity for all the families to enjoy together. This is when we learn about
mental illness. - Then the group splits into a parents’ group and a children’s group. In the parents’ group, parents have a chance to relax and talk to each other, while the children take part in drama, art and games and create a short film.
- At the end of the workshop, the group rejoins for refreshments – pizzas and snacks for everyone! We watch the children’s film and share what we’ve been talking about in the parents’ and children’s groups.
Can I speak to someone about KidsTime Workshops?
You can speak to your Care Coordinator about referring to our KidsTime Workshop. For other enquiries please contact us by email on [email protected]
I don't live in Bradford, is there a workshop in my area?
There are lots of workshops available throughout the UK, head to Our Time’s website to see where your local workshop is.
Kirsty and Chineye’s story
Young people Kirsty and Chineye reflect on their childhood and discuss how KidsTime Workshops helped them when they were caring for a parent with a mental illness.
It helped because there were things I couldn’t talk to Mum about because of her illness but I could talk to others.
Play video to hear from Kirsty and Chineye
Ambeya’s story
Ambeya talks about how her understanding of mental illness when she was growing up was distorted by others’ negative perceptions, and how she’s now learnt to deal with stigma. Ambeya said:
Dealing with the stigma of my Mum’s mental health was difficult.
Play video to hear Ambeya’s story
KidsTime Video Resources
Below are some videos that show the type of approach you can expect in KidsTime Workshops.
The elephant in the room
When Gabriella’s dad develops a mental illness no one wants to talk about it, but things begin to get difficult.
Put away your labels
When Phoebe and Evelyn’s mum develops a mental illness they begin to notice differences in the way people behave towards them.
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