Heart-to-heart is a fun and effective early help attachment programme for parents/carers and their children/teens to attend together. It can be delivered with groups, 1:1 or through a home-visiting model and is split across two approximate age ranges; 5-9 years and 10-15 years. This flexible programme is based on the latest attachment research which shows that supporting the parent-child attachment relationship sets the scene for the best outcomes for children right into adulthood. Adolescence can be a challenging time for parents and carers and this programme offers an ideal opportunity to share and experience new and empowering evidence-based knowledge with families.
Heart-to-heart aims to provide:
· Lovely local sessions designed specifically for parents/carers and their children/teens
· Enjoyable, interactive and low-key activities and resources to help strengthen relationships in a contained and nurturing group
· An opportunity to explore all aspects of middle childhood and teen development including the amazing changes happening in prepubescent and teenage brains, why teens turn nocturnal and other wonderful aspects of emotional, neurological and psychological development
· Empower and encourage all group members with the latest science of attachment including multi-media clips, lego models and the occasional junk sculpture made of sellotape and straws
· Share evidence-based tools and techniques with all group members to help them manage stress and develop resilience
· Opportunities to develop a supportive network with other families and carers that may continue after the programme ends
Heart-to-heart practitioner training gives you all you need to become a heart-to-heart programme practitioner including:
· A strong grounding in the latest attachment theory and research including what we now know about how attachment security is operationalised within the parent-child relationship
· Practical skills sessions equipping you with all you need to deliver heart-to-heart programmes including specialist attachment skills
· Access to online printable resources to support delivery including an example 6-week programme and additional creative resources
· Pre- and post-programme outcome measures
· A fully-accredited Practitioner Certification with 12 CPD points
““Fantastic course. I love research/evidence based and it makes sense””
“
I was the lucky teacher who got to train in Heart To Heart last year and I have just run my first group in the school with four Junior Infants and their families. We had the nicest time meeting every week, playing, drawing, singing, having fun with our grown-ups and getting to spend quality time together.
The children loved all the games, songs and activities but more importantly, they really enjoyed having special one-to-one time with their parent.
The feedback from the parents was really heart warming. They were delighted to have dedicated time to spend with their child having fun and playing together. They loved getting a break from the stresses of daily life and being encouraged to take some time for themselves too.
It has been so enjoyable and I am delighted I get to be a small part in the families creating strong bonds and having so much fun together.
”
next training
21st & 22nd March 2026
SCCUL Enterprise Centre, Ballybane, Galway