Growth Pool looking to grow further after CDA support

A Kenilworth charity which does invaluable work with many families in need is growing to meet ever-growing demand…thanks to support delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire CDA through the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme.

The Parenting Project is a dedicated and dynamic UK registered charity based in Kenilworth. It has been working across Warwickshire since 2008 to improve the life experiences and outcomes of children, young people and their families by providing services and support at a time when they are most needed.

Coventry and Warwickshire CDA met with the trustees of The Parenting Project in 2019 to discuss income diversification. Sarah Slater was subsequently appointed as Business Development Manager at The Parenting Project and has been supported by CDA to create a new Community Interest Company subsidiary called The Growth Pool CIC. A proportion of the profits from the subsidiary will be passed to the Parenting Project to support its operation.

CDA support was provided through the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support programme and covered a range of issues including feasibility, legal structure, incorporation and the terms of reference between the charity and the subsidiary. CDA is now providing business support directly to The Growth Pool to facilitate its further development.

The work of The Parenting Project and its new subsidiary is more important than ever. The Health Foundation are reporting that among those aged six to 16 in England, one in six had a probable mental health condition in 2021, up from one in nine in 2017. Three quarters of life-long mental health problems in the UK start before the age of 25 and today’s children and young people are considered to have worse mental health outcomes compared to previous generations.

The Parenting Project supports children and young people from 0-19 years (25 years SEND) and their parents/carers, providing individually tailored support, always with the wellbeing of the whole family in mind. Parents experiencing mental ill health often request support and therapy in their endeavour to mitigate against the impact of their emotional health on their children and yet, it is well documented that such help and support is difficult to access and insufficient. Referrals to The Parenting Project are currently increasing.

The Growth Pool provides personal and professional coaching and support, designed to prioritise mental and emotional wellbeing. It is on a mission to normalise the access of interpersonal wellbeing support and provide it to families, schools and organisations.

Soon to launch is its School Wellbeing Programme, which offers a consistent approach to supporting staff, parents and pupils. Services include supervision, coaching, counselling and group programmes and all focus on each individual feeling well supported.

The Growth Pool is seeking funding and/or sponsorship to deliver pilot support programmes in schools. If you are interested in supporting the delivery or are a school interested in taking part please get in touch. Coventry and Warwickshire CDA are currently supporting The Growth Pool CIC with identifying funding opportunities and publicity.

“The CDA have been integral to the research, development and set up of The Growth Pool CIC," said Sarah Slater. "By working with a consistent contact it has felt like we have had an extension of our team who is able to fill gaps in our knowledge and experience at the most crucial times.”

For further information about the Parenting Project and The Growth Pool CIC, please visit parentingproject.org.uk and thegrowthpool.com or email sarah.slater@parentingproject.org.uk

For business support from Coventry and Warwickshire CDA please visit www.cwcda.co.uk