The Supportive Parents’ Party shows how a little attention makes all the difference
An afternoon full of fun, socialising and connection. That was the annual Support Parent Party, where support parents and families came together to celebrate what a few hours of attention each week can mean for a child and a family.
Personalised care
Sometimes families face circumstances that take a lot out of them. Think of illness, a divorce, burnout or other situations. A support parent can then be a valuable source of support. By welcoming a child for half a day a week, this creates space for relaxation, fun and personal attention. At the same time, it gives parents a chance to catch their breath.
Every year we hold a party for support parents and families in need, this time at the Biotuinen in Lelystad. The theme of the afternoon was ‘Together we hang up the bunting and bring colour to life’. That theme came to life in all sorts of ways. There were games, crafts, face painting, go-karting, cupcake decorating and plenty of chatting amongst everyone. The afternoon concluded with a communal meal, provided by De Caterspecialist.
Valuable connections
During the party, it became clear once again just how valuable the contact between support parents, children and families can be. These encounters often lead to warm bonds, trust and fond memories. For many children, a support parent is a familiar face, someone with whom they can be themselves and gain new experiences.
Liesbeth Krouwel, Support Parents coordinator at Welzijn Lelystad, sees the impact this has every day:
“Sometimes, just a few hours of attention each week is enough to give a child a wonderful experience. It’s special to see how valuable bonds form between support parents, children and families – bonds from which warmth, trust and beautiful memories grow.”
Grateful
We look back with satisfaction on a colourful afternoon full of connection and interaction. Thank you to all the support parents, families, volunteers and work experience students who made this afternoon possible.
Join in the fun
