Family Support Programme

Dandelion Time

Dandelion Time provides an intensive Family Support Programme for over 200 children aged 6-14 and their families each year, from our three sites in Kent. We support each referred child and family for 10-15 weeks.  Following an initial assessment, families attend a centre weekly working individually and together in small groups (of up to 3 families), to care for farm animals and gardens, take part in pottery, woodwork and wool-work, creative and musical activities, and cooking the food grown at Dandelion Time. The charity explores each child’s difficulties and supports them to overcome trauma, grow in confidence and self-esteem, and regulate their emotions and behaviours.  Dandelion Time’s Family Support Programme helps children begin to overcome the trauma of their experiences and associated emotional or behavioural difficulties. The charity uses recognised evaluation tools to assess the outcomes for each child. As a result of attending: Children have increased confidence, self-esteem & resilience, and emotional wellbeing. Children have improved social skills, are more able to form friendships. Relationships between children and carers and family life is improved. Children re-enter school and/or increase levels of engagement and achievement. Carers gain improved emotional wellbeing, often damaged by past domestic violence or trauma, resolve parenting challenges/conflict and gain insight into their child’s issues.