8:55am Thursday 22nd February 2007
By Nione Meakin
Oxford charity workers are forging a campaign aimed at improving relations between children and adults.
The group believes its work is vital to improve child welfare in the UK - and one Blackbird Leys family has praised its efforts.
Family Links works with children, teachers and parents to help them learn how to get along better.
A Unicef report last week put the UK bottom of a league table for child welfare across 21 industrialised countries, with children reporting high levels of unhappiness and insecurity.
Family Links' chief executive Annette Mountford said its work was crucial in addressing the issue.
She said: "I think family relationships are the key to both children's and grown-ups' wellbeing.
"Parents are busier now, but it's about making time, listening to children and doing things together.
"Most parents who 'fail' do so because they lack the skills and confidence to succeed, not because they are lazy or wilful."
Those who attend the courses are shown the impact feelings have on behaviour and the best way to address problems positively.
Wendy and Phil Graham, of Sandy Lane West, Blackbird Leys, began attending weekly classes to help them cope better with their six-year-old daughter Hannah.
Mrs Graham said: "Hannah is very forward and sees everyone as her equal. She's a typical fiery redhead and very hard work. We've followed the Nurturing Programme for a few years and we do see quite a bit of benefit at the moment.
"They teach you different strategies to deal with children and it does help because all children have similar problems and it helps you feel you can control things better."
Ms Mountford added: "Parenting is no respecter of class and income - all parents have to tackle the same issues.
"You might have a parent running a very successful business and their three-year-old is running them ragged."
For more information about courses Family Links runs, call 01865 401800.
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