‘Shaping Us’ Childhood Symposium Event – Supporting Childhood Development – by Katherine Jenkins

I have met, listened to and spoken with the most passionate and inspirational people over the last few months and especially this week.

There are too many to mention by name but thank you all.

We come from different sectors and personal and professional backgrounds and we are united in our passion and determination to see the ‘adult in every child and the child in every adult’ and put this at the heart of what we do.

My current work at the The Forward Trust is centred around our relationships and the impact they have at every stage of life. The Family and Young People department always strive to take the most up to date scientific knowledge and translate that into highly effective and practical programmes. I have been privileged this week to meet some of the incredible academics and researchers – from both the UK and US – who are the driving forces behind that knowledge.

This year we launched our Relationships Matter programme, an intervention underpinned by the science and codesigned with our front line staff and clients. The programme supports people to understand how their relationships impact them and how they impact their relationships. It enables people to apply this learning to their connections with their children, family members, friends, and beyond.

So far, we’ve recieved some pretty amazing feedback:

“I would like to say a big thank you to the team who put this course together … It’s made me realise relationships are so important to our lives … it’s made a big impact on my way of life. I’ve spoken to my family and they are so proud of me” (Richard, Relationships Matter Participant)

Feature image by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Description: The Princess of Wales at the Shaping Us National Symposium reception, Forward Trust’s Katherine Jenkins is also pictured (bottom-left).