'Your story' - Introducing the 'Parentplay' parenting course

Rachel Murrill, who together with Rachel Bright has written a parenting course for parents of under 5s, tells us how it all started...

"As a mum of three, who is passionate about parenting, I really wanted to support and reach out to the other parents I know through the parent and toddler group at my church in Milton Keynes.

"I love messy play with my kids, and I could see that it would be a great way to encourage parents to have fun with their children, whilst learning some basic parenting principles.

"So Rachel and I added our personal experiences to our expertise in Occupational Therapy and Parental Support to devise a new and exciting 7-week parenting course called 'Parentplay'. It encourages and inspires parents of young children through informal times of discussion and messy play, and is designed to be accessible to a wide audience.

Opening doors into the local community

"Over the last few years we have run the course with great success. It has opened many doors into the local community. We've been able to support those who are particularly needy by linking them to other services, such as debt and money advice, and food aid. It has been such a privilege to see the lives of families changed.

We've also been excited to find that, through Parentplay, stronger friendships have developed with families we've known for years at the parent and toddler group. They became real friends and many have gone on to enjoy the Alpha Course too, simply because we took the time to get to know them better.

It's hard to believe that something that started so small could become so popular! Since being published by Authentic Media, Parentplay is now being used internationally. We never dreamed that news of the course would spread so far. We just hope that more groups can continue to benefit from it too!

Last Updated 07 May 2010