About Us

Who we are

Families First is a parenting project supporting parents and carers of young children in Belfast and surrounding districts.

We co-operate closely with parents, primary and pre-school Principals, playgroup leaders and the local community in promoting the creation of happy childhood experiences and strong relationships with parents and their children.

We are a registered charity run by a volunteer management team dedicated to helping young parents create the best relationship possible with their children.

Please note we are not connected in any way with the commercial organisation Families First NI.

What We Do

All families face challenges in bringing up their children. Families First facilitates parent groups to meet in a relaxed setting where they can share common concerns and talk about the challenges facing all parents and carers of young children.

Our course is different to most other courses in that the emphasis of the Families First programme is about developing the necessary parenting skills – skills which can also be readily employed to support the development of other children in the family.

Our Course Content

  • Introduction – Getting to know each other
  • Managing Behaviour
  • Encouragement
  • Respectful Listening/Talking
  • Discipline
  • Time for Ourselves

Facilitators

We also provide high quality training for women and men who wish to act as parent facilitators backed up by supervision.

Office Bearers

  • Chairperson: Patricia McAleavey
  • Vice Chairpersons: Fr. Michael McGinnity, Hugh McCann
  • Auditor: Tony Hennessey

Families First is Registered Charity no. XR31914