A Suffolk project which helps educate and support parents has teamed up with Suffolk Mind for a series of events that tackle issues that youngsters may be facing.
Huddl, a social business which hosts talks to inform parents about issues such as online safety, cyberbullying and social media, has launched the Huddl Ups with the mental health charity, with the express aim of tackling some of helping parents help their youngsters.
Three events have already been organised by the pair, with the first on March 9 at Quay Place focusing on addictive behaviours.
Huddl founder Katie Lawson said: “We carried out surveys after our successful Huddl Parent Talk events last year and it confirmed overwhelmingly that parents wanted to learn more in order to better help their children and young people in a number of areas.
“Addictive behaviours was a hot topic as it is increasingly possible to experience. Activities such as gambling, eating, pornography viewing, and playing video games are particularly conducive to addiction because they provide the opportunity for immediate reward.”
Speakers at the event, which runs from 9.30am-12.30pm, include Suffolk Mind’s head of mental health education, Ezra Hewing, and 25-year-old chef Clemmie Hadden Paton who will speak of her own experiences in addictive behaviours.
Mr Hewing said addictions came from emotional needs that were not being fulfilled. He added: “Finding out that your child is in the grip of addiction can come as a shock and leaves families unprepared for the consequences.
“Parents often find that they blame themselves or each other for a child’s substance abuse – which doesn’t help anyone.”
Following the first event, the second on April 11 will explore social media and internet safety.
Huddl already donates 10% of its profits to Suffolk Mind, with 50% of the Huddl Up events going to the charity.
Mrs Lawson added: “Parents and carers are strapped for time, they don’t want to read a number of books or commit to a course yet they want to gain knowledge and support to do the best they can to help their children flourish.
“Huddl provides a platform giving up-to-date expert advice for parents and carers on these topics of concern.”
Tickets are £15 and can be booked by visiting the website here.
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