New year growth: free courses to help you and your family thrive

As the new year begins, many of us look for ways to make positive changes and strengthen the bonds we share with our loved ones. For parents, grandparents, and carers across Wirral, Family Hubs are offering an opportunity to do just that. With free online courses following the Solihull Approach, you can step into the new year with tools to better understand your family’s emotions and nurture stronger relationships.

What is the Solihull Approach?

The Solihull Approach has been developed by experts from the NHS, including psychologists, psychotherapists, and health practitioners, alongside education professionals. These expertly crafted courses are designed to help you understand your child’s feelings, development, and behaviours while also encouraging you to reflect on your own emotions and grow together as a family.

Whether you’re expecting, a new parent, a seasoned grandparent, or a foster carer, the courses are tailored to support you at every stage of your journey.
 

What to expect from the courses

These online courses are structured to make learning simple, flexible, and accessible:

• Completely free for all Wirral residents.
• Engaging and interactive content: Courses include videos, quizzes, and reflective questions to help you explore your emotions and gain insights into your family dynamics.
• Modules and units: Each course is made up of several modules, which focus on key topics within the course. Modules are further broken down into smaller units, each lasting less than five minutes, making the content easy to digest and manage. Courses range from two to 14 modules, with each module containing a handful of units to explore at your own pace.
• Learn at your own pace: No need to rush - as the courses are broken down into short, bite-sized units, you can complete them whenever it suits you even if you only have a few minutes to spare.
• Flexible formats: Listen podcast-style, read along, or take notes using the included digital course notebook.
• Progress tracking: A progress bar helps you keep track of where you are.
• Additional Resources: Some courses come with handy downloadable extras like mindfulness audio guides or checklists, such as what to pack for the hospital when expecting a baby.
• Certificates: At the end of each course, you can download a certificate to mark your achievement.
• Accessible for all: The courses are available in multiple languages, including Polish, Arabic, Urdu, and Chinese.
• Self-guided courses: You don’t need to interact with others - it’s all about focusing on you and your family in a private and comfortable way.
   

A course for every stage

There’s a wide range of courses available, covering all stages of family life:

• Understanding Your Pregnancy, Labour, Birth, and Your Baby: Prepare for your baby’s arrival and learn about bonding and emotional health.
• Understanding Your Baby: Discover ways to support your baby’s physical and emotional development.
• Understanding Your Child: Build strong relationships that shape your child’s emotional wellbeing.
• Understanding Your Child with Additional Needs: Navigate the unique challenges of raising a child with additional needs.
• Understanding Your Teenager’s Brain: Learn about adolescent brain development and its impact on mental health.
• Understanding Your Relationships: Improve communication and manage conflict within important relationships.
• Specialised courses are also available for teenagers to help them understand their feelings and mental wellbeing, as well as courses addressing the emotional impact of the pandemic.
   

How to register

It couldn’t be easier to start your journey with the Solihull Approach:

• Visit inourplace.co.uk/wirral
• Enter the access code MERSEY in the ‘Apply Access Code’ section
• Register for a free account and select the course that’s right for you

You can access the courses on your laptop, tablet, or phone - all you need is an internet connection.