Walking Alongside You (WAY) programme
Refer someone to us
Alternatively, you can contact us by emailing way@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or phoning 0300 300 6752 / 0300 300 5643.
Referrals will take place at a point where a woman is willing to positively engage. The support that can be provided will also depend on the level of engagement. For some, this may be a brief period of support to access.
Who we help
Walking Alongside You (WAY) is a project aimed to support men and women in a variety of circumstances, with the overall aim to enable participants to make positive lifestyle changes.
We can:
- support women and men who are care-experienced adults, who have not had children but are at risk of pregnancy
- work with parents who have had children removed from their care, in supporting breaking unhealthy cycles in life and developing new skills and aspirations
- support parents earlier, prior to children being removed to break the cycles of concerns
- support parents who are undergoing or have undergone the court process for the removal of children through the Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC)
How we help
We aim to give participants the opportunity to develop new skills and responses that can help create a more positive future for themselves through the use of practical hands-on support, designed around individual needs.
The project works on a consent basis – participants in the project need to want things to change. Support plans are then tailored to meet individual needs.
We will:
- provide you with a WAY practitioner to develop an individual support plan
- work alongside you for up to 2 years
- be non-judgmental and encouraging
- offer an intense programme of therapeutic, practical and behavioural support, individually tailored around your own needs
- work with a multi-agency team, accessing support from the most specialist services available
- encourage a focus on health, lifestyle and needs
- support you to engage with contraceptive services
- build your resilience and self-esteem
- address issues such as drug, alcohol and domestic abuse
- develop aspirations for the future
- build new relationships with professionals and others
- enable healthy relationships with partners, friends and family
- promote positive health, mental health, improved wellbeing and confidence
We won’t:
- be involved in children being returned to your care
- undertake parenting assessments