A NEW parenting programme is being offered to Dorset families with a child aged between ten and 14.

The Strengthening Families Programme is a seven-week scheme involving weekly sessions of two hours.

The sessions are split in two with parents or carers and the child working separately in skill building groups for the first hour and then coming together for supervised family activities.

There will also be four booster sessions available that can be used six months to one year after the end of the first seven sessions to reinforce the work of the programmes.

The programme will be running across Dorset for the next three years and is offered free of charge in some of the more rural parts of the county.

A limited budget is also available to help families with travel costs or childcare costs for those with younger siblings.

For more information visit mystrongfamily.org To make a referral contact Lynne Rockey at the Dorset Youth Association on 01305 262440 or email lynnerockey@dorsetyouth.com.