Join our Parent and Family Network
Thursday, 19 September 2019
A new Parent and Family Network has been set up as a source of information-sharing and support for working parents and parents-to-be.
The Network is open to all University colleagues who have or care for children (of any age). Joining is easy – simply sign up on the Microsoft Teams group or email group coordinators Nicola Hall and Ellen McManus-Fry. After returning to work after maternity leave, both Nicola and Ellen realised the importance of peer support and informal information networks, inspiring them to set up a group specifically for University staff.
On the benefits of sharing knowledge and experience through networks, Ellen said:
“There’s so much knowledge and experience among colleagues across the University about how to balance work and family life, and we wanted a way to bring that together and help people to connect with others in similar situations”.
Fellow group creator Nicola said:
“Raising a family and working at the same time can sometimes be challenging, to say the least! Finding support and camaraderie with people that have experienced similar circumstances is really important for your health and wellbeing”.
The Network will be holding termly meet-ups where you will be able to find out about the facilities and policies in place to support working parents, meet other members of the Network, and share your experiences of balancing family and work. We will also be hearing from speakers about relevant research projects and activities taking place at the University.
Inaugural coffee morning
The inaugural coffee morning will be held on 24 September 2019, 11:30-12:30 in G09, Allen Lab, Whiteknights campus. Please join us for a cup of tea or coffee, a piece of cake and a chance to chat to other members of the Network.
We will be joined by Professor Carmel Houston-Price from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, who will be talking about her research on how to get young children to eat more vegetables, and by Dr Rebecca Berkley from the Institute of Education, who will tell us more about the children’s choir, Universal Voices.
All colleagues are welcome.