Mellow Parenting delivers programmes specifically designed for parents with children with additional support needs. These complex physical and emotional needs put extra strain on parents who may already be struggling due to their socio-economic situation and are facing challenges getting the support and resources required to fulfil their child’s needs.
Child Outcomes
Cognitive Development
- 50% of parents reported an improvement in response to the statement “In the last month my child has expressed ideas clearly”
- 29% of parents reported an improvement in response to the statement “In the last month my child has stayed on task”
Social Development
- 88% of parents reported an improvement in response to the statement “In the last month my child has initiated positive social interactions”
- 38% of parents reported an improvement in response to the statement “In the last month my child has shared with or helped others”
Child Behaviour:
Nisonger Child Behaviour Rating Form
- Post programme, on average, the children demonstrated improvements in compliant behaviour (processing and following instructions) and adaptive behaviour (positive social interactions) compared to before the programme.
Parent Outcomes
Wellbeing:
WHO-5 Well-Being Index (World Health Organisation, 2024):
- The participants, on average, reported a significant increase in their wellbeing scores, rising from 51.30% before programme delivery to 65.39% after programme delivery.
Mental Health:
DASS-21 (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995):
- The participants, on average, reported notable decreases in symptoms of all three measures after the programme delivery, the average falling below the moderate cut-off score for each measure.
Relationship With Child:
The ‘Parenting Tunnel’ (Mellow Tool):
- The participants, on average, reported an increase in rating their relationship with their child, the average increasing from 7.0 pre-programme to 7.7 post-programme.
Impact of Additional Support Needs:
Sheffield Learning Disabilities Outcome Measure
- The participants, on average, reported a large increase in how they were dealing with their child’s additional support needs, their scores increasing from 8.5 pre-programme to 33.4 post-programme.
Voices of Parents
|
Statement |
Strongly Agreed |
Agreed |
Total |
|
“I would like to keep in touch with the service that delivered the programme” |
60% |
33% |
93% |
|
“After taking part in the programme I feel better about myself” |
53% |
40% |
93% |
|
“I found the topics in the programme relevant to me and my family situation” |
73% |
18% |
91% |
|
“The group has given me a new perspective on my relationships” |
60% |
33% |
93% |
|
“The group has helped me identify my personal strengths” |
47% |
47% |
94% |
“It was a lovely experience meeting new people and other parents on the same boat especially meeting <practitioner names> who were the BEST. They were very welcoming, always kept in contact with me and made this a safe space for me to share my stories. Very on to it - the staff made it feel like home to me (safe space).
Parents need Mellow Ability. It was a way for me to without feeling like I wasn’t being judged because everyone shared similar experiences. “
– Mum, 28, New Zealand
“It’s been amazing, and I am truly sad that it’s ending.”
– Mum, 39, North Lanarkshire, Scotland
“I enjoyed being part of a supportive group where I could share personal hardships I face with my child without any judgment, even if there was not always a solution there was always understanding- validating how I felt and that I wasn’t alone.”
– Mum, 35, Glasgow, Scotland
