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Pillow Talk helps young parents
02 April 2010
Mike Busby, an NVQ Level 2 Catering student, has set up a support group for young parents and parents-to-be with the help of his friend Lucy Rayner. The idea was devised after 18-year-old Mike and 21-year-old Lucy (themselves both young parents) identified that parenthood can often bring added challenges to relationships. They felt that young people needed the opportunity to explore and find strategies on how to cope with the issues that can arise.
After successfully applying for funding from the Terrence Higgins Trust and the Big Lottery Fund, Pillow Talk was born. The project consisted of four workshops held throughout March at the college’s Isleworth Campus. The workshops gave young parents the chance to chill out for two hours (with lunch and a free crèche provided) and learn how to deal with the issues affecting them and their relationships with loved-ones since becoming parents.
“It was a great feeling for me and Lucy when we finally set the project up,” Mike explained. “The sessions were really good. We didn’t teach; we sat down, listened and discussed positive ways to handle conflict. Helping others to become better at dealing with their relationship issues as parents was hugely rewarding.”
Olivia Henry, Teenage Pregnancy Project Development Officer for the London Borough of Hounslow praised Mike and Lucy. “Through sheer determination and drive, both Mike and Lucy have set up a successful scheme to support young parents in this area. The feedback they received from the attendees was fantastic and hopefully more Pillow Talk sessions can be run in the future.”
