Families Outside joined SEIN last year not long after starting their MyTime Peer Support Group – a monthly group for children & young people affected by imprisonment. Below, Tracey Burns of Families Outside reflects on the first 6 months of the group. We’re pleased to know how well the group is going & that being part of SEIN has helped the group link up with other SEIN members & generate referrals.
The first MyTime Peer Support Group started in March 2019. It has been a busy, challenging, rewarding and exciting time for the group coming together, meeting me and the other group members for the first time, building new friendships and having the opportunity to talk about how their family members imprisonment has affected them.
MyTime Scotland is held once per month at VOX Liminis, in Glasgow, on a Thursday evening (5.30 – 7.30pm).
From the first group member joining we now have 9 children and young people who attend MyTime Scotland on a regular basis, travelling from across the East & West of Scotland. Each month the topic of conversation in the group is decided by the children and young people and is based on the issues they are experiencing as a result of their family members imprisonment.
In some of the first MyTime group meetings the group found that playing ‘Getting to Know You’ bingo helped them start conversations and find common group with each other. They also made ‘Thinking Hats’ while chatting about their thoughts and feelings experienced from having a family member in prison.
Fun!!!
It is really important to the children and young people that as well as having the opportunity to talk to other children and young people about how their family members imprisonment affects them, they also want and need to have FUN together. The group asked that they have the opportunity to do fun things together and for their other family members to be able to take part sometimes. We were them able to arrange a ‘Family Fun Day’ in partnership with Highballs Low & Glasgow Life, and a group cycle activity in partnership with Bike for Good (Glasgow South).
This has been an action packed 6 months for MyTime Scotland and they are looking forward to the next 6 months and beyond sharing their thoughts, feelings and experiences and welcoming any new members who join them.
Do you know a child with a family member in prison? We Can Help!
If you know of any children or young people who are affected by imprisonment and would be interested in coming to our Peer Support Group please share the MyTime group details and contact Tracey to make a referral.
If you know of any children or young people who are unable to come to the group but would still like support please get in touch to discuss this further.
Contact:
Tracey.Burns@familiesoutside.org.uk
07384 469640 / 0131 557 9800
