Woking Family Services groups and courses

Specialist and fully trained staff

All staff are trained to a high level on how to safeguard children and young people as well as a range of other areas such as domestic abuse, alcohol and drug misuse, SEND, debt management, parental conflict, attachment theory and child development.

Staff are trained to use screening tools to identify domestic abuse, child exploitation and neglect offering:

  • parenting support
  • support for parents to have healthy relationships
  • advice and support on keeping children safe
  • family learning sessions to help support children's learning at home
  • advice and support on mental health and wellbeing
  • advice and information about helping families eat better and move more
  • help for families to find clothes, equipment, books and toys for their children.

Free courses and workshops 

Welcome to the world

Free, eight week course for expectant parents. The sessions will cover:

  • recognising own emotional health
  • thinking about the future as parents, a couple and a family
  • understanding of the benefits of breastfeeding
  • practical tasks of caring for a baby.

View our welcome to the world course leaflet

Parenting and family workshops

To support you and your family, we offer the following free virtual workshops:

  • dental workshop
  • healthy lifestyles
  • crafting
  • chatterbox, child speech and language
  • parenting tips and strategies.

View our parenting and family workshops leaflet

Parenting puzzle programme

This tried and tested programme can help you deal with challenges so you have a calmer, family life. The course covers:

  • recognising feelings behind behaviours
  • different approaches to discipline
  • cooperation and self-discipline
  • the importance of looking after ourselves.

View our parenting puzzle programme leaflet

Parent wellbeing group

This support group is for parents to chat about how they are feeling, receive support and help families feel less isolated.  Come along for a friendly chat.  Free creche spaces are also available.

For more information, please call 01483 743812.

Young parents' group

Young parents under 21 years old are invited to attend our free young parents group. You can meet other young mums and dads and have some fun. We will provide:

  • craft activities
  • song / rhyme time
  • outdoor fun
  • refreshments.

We also offer support and information to help with parenting and family life. If you travel by bus we will reimburse your fare.

View our young parents' group leaflet

Special, Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) group for parents and carers

Free support group for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 16 with pre or diagnosed SEND. The course will cover topics like:

  • back to school and discussions around EHCPs
  • boundaries and useful parenting tools
  • accessing useful websites and other support networks
  • support on applying for DLA and other funding options.

View our special, educational needs and disability group leaflet

Healthy cook and eat classes

Free, six week healthy cooking course for you and your family. The course covers:

  • nutrition basics
  • budgeting and meal planning portion sizes
  • understanding food labelling
  • chossing and eating your five-a-day
  • healthy food swaps and ‘fake aways’.

Classes are face-to-face and virtual but ingredients and recipes will be dropped off to you prior.

View our health cook and eat classes leaflet

English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) classes for beginners

Improve your English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills all for free. Lessons take place twice a week during term times and are suitable for all ages.

You will need to attend an assessment day at Woking College to make sure you are placed in the right class suited for you to excel. Please bring your passport or another form of ID along with you as well as any relevant benefit papers.

A creche facility is available on request.

View our English for speakers of other languages classes leaflet

Talking Teens

Free 5 week course for parents of teenagers.  Sessions will cover:

  •  Improving relationships
  •  reducing conflict and stress in the home
  •  increasing confidence in talking about difficult issues 
  • understanding teenage development and needs.

View our Talking Teens leaflet

Thursday Tots

Free weekly play and learn sessions for parents and carers of children aged between 0 and 5 years old at St Mary’s Centre for the Community Byfleet.

View our Thursday Tots leaflet

Keeping your child in mind

A programme for parents and carers that focusses on relationships within the family and the influence of parental relationships on children.

The course covers:

  • self-awareness
  • appropriate expectations
  • boundaries and positive discipline
  • understanding empathy.

View our Keeping your child in mind leaflet

Find out more and how to sign up

Get in touch with us to find out dates, further event information and to

register your interest

Email: familycentres@woking.gov.uk

Phone: 01483 743 812