NEXT

STEPS 12
This module covers
the following information:

Next steps
The value of networking
Finding other services
Practicalities of running parent support
groups
Session overview
Most significant change
Sharing emotions and feelings

Module 12: Nest steps_June21_Version2 | © LSHTM 159

 NEXT STEPS
Materials
Flip charts, pens, Poster 1.04.

Icebreaker
Show the session overview to the group. Ask everyone to tell you their
favourite moment over the course of the programme. Allow time for sharing
of stories. You should also share their favourite moments.

Ask
“Today is the last session of our programme. For some of you it might feel
quite sad to be finishing and for others you might feel relieved to be done!”

The biggest question we often get asked is what happened next, so todays
session is going to think about that: Outcomes for the module (on flipchart).

Explain
By the end of this session, you will be able to:

1. Understand some benefits to networking with other caregivers and parent

groups.

2. Identify which support groups already exist and how you may be able to
connect with those.

3. Identify good practice for running and organising ‘self-help parent

groups’.

4. Reflect on what you have learned over the past sessions and how it has
impacted on you, your family and your child.

5. List a number of subjects that we have not covered and considered how
you might find out more about those.

Module 12: Nest steps_June21_Version2 | © LSHTM 160

 THE VALUE OF
NETWORKING
Activity 1
Have a look again at your personal posters. Our support Barriers in the community

Ask someone who has not presented their poster

regularly to present. Community

Family
and friends

About us

Daily activities Goals and dreams

Ask
“What has changed in your situation since coming to this group?
Where do other parents and families now feature within your posters?”

Use image 6.01 to explain the cycle of communication.

Ask
“How do you feel about meeting
members of Organisations for Persons
with Disabilities? How do you feel
about meeting other community
members who are interested in
disability rights? Is it helpful? Why?”

“Do you ever meet up with other

parents outside of the sessions? Is this
useful? why? How can you help more
parents meet and support each other?”

“ “There are many physically disabled children in our village. I did not know
them before this time, and we also were not aware of those who arrive from
other villages. As a result of coming to the training we know each other.”
Parent, Bangladesh
“During this group I had a lot of discussions with my husband, we talked
about how important it was to be accompanying and participating in
the activities, and today it seems that he is more aware of things and
participates without complaining.” Mother, Salvador
“We also change psychologically, it is important to be with other parents.”

”
Parent, Colombia

Module 12: Nest steps_June21_Version2 | © LSHTM 161

 FINDING OTHER
SERVICES
Activity 2
Invite local organisations to give short talks about their services.

Explain
Explain that a parent support group can help parents access services, like a
disability registration card.

In small groups, read the leaflet on local services;

• Which services did you know about?

• Have you used them?

• Were they good?

Ask
Which other groups for parents/families do you know in the area? Do you
already go to any of them?

Activity 3
Discuss in your groups the services that you are aware of, whether you have
accessed them, and your experience of using the service.

List the names of organizations on flipchart paper and the activities that you
do. How can people join or find out more about these groups?

PRACTICALITIES OF
RUNNING PARENT
SUPPORT GROUPS
Activity 4
Ask everyone to stand in a line.

The order should be from the person who had longest journey today, to the
person who had the shortest journey.

Module 12: Nest steps_June21_Version2 | © LSHTM 162

 Ask
Ask everyone to say:

• How you got to the meeting?

• Was it an easy journey?

• Was it difficult traveling with your child?

• How could we make transport more accessible?

Ask
“What would a good parent support group be like?“

It might be:

• Welcoming.

• Meet regularly.

• A safe space to talk about feelings.

• Somewhere you can learn information and share ideas.

• Confidential.

Ask
“What makes a good group leader?”

They might be:

• A good listener.

• Someone you can trust.

• Someone who knows about local services.

Ask
“How would you run a parent support group?”

There is no one ‘right’ way of doing this. Think about:

• Would the group meet regularly? When? Where?

• Is there something you would like the group to help change? How?

• How will you communicate with each other about meetings?

• How can you find out what other services would be helpful? For example,
group savings schemes.

• What might be some challenges? How might you address them?

Module 12: Nest steps_June21_Version2 | © LSHTM 163

 “ In Bangladesh, two parents from each of the 14 groups were chosen as
leaders and this module was run with them. Carers had the chance to meet
parents from other groups, and everyone shared information.
“I have come to know most of the parents through going to training before
training they were unknown to me. Now, we always talk to each other
Whenever we hear about a child improving, we meet him at their home, and

”
try to find out more.” Parent, Bangladesh

SESSION OVERVIEW
Activity 5
Guide everyone
through each of the
sessions that they Let’s get
started
Know your
have covered. Ask Next steps
child

them to remember
two or three points Assistive
products Positioning

from each session

that they learned.
Our Eating and
community drinking

Togetherness Learning
and belonging to move

Everyday
Communicating
activities
Play

Ask
“What subjects do you feel we have not discussed that you would like to know
more about? How do you think you can find out more about these? Could this
be something organized as a group activity?”

List the issues on a flipchart paper and make a plan for each.

Points to raise:

• Some issues may be specific to just one person or child and so this may
be something you try to find out for yourself.

• Other issues may be shared by several parents and asking someone to

come to present to you as a group might be useful.

• Ideas include: assistive products, gastrostomies, applying for a disability

grant, how children with disabilities could go to the local school.

Module 12: Nest steps_June21_Version2 | © LSHTM 164

 MOST SIGNIFICANT
CHANGE
Activity 6
Work in groups of four or five.

Facilitator Tips:
This activity will involve participants sharing their view and describing a story of their
most significant change since participating in these sessions. They will discuss in
small groups and then together decide one story that is the most significant story to
represent the group.
The first question to start the conversation would be:
“Looking back over the last month/since you started with this group, what do you
think was the most significant change for yourself/for your children/within your
family?”
You can ask:
“From among all these significant changes, what do you think was the most
significant change of all?’”
This is a good way to identify unexpected changes. It can also build a rich picture
of what is happening, rather than an overly simplified picture where organisational,
social and economic developments are reduced to a single number.

Ask
Ask each person tell one story of Most Significant Change as a result of
participating in this group. Ask each group to select one story that they regard
as most significant to share with the whole group.

Ask
Ask the group to give the reason that they chose this story, this is just as
important as the story.

Out of the selected stories, the whole group selects one most significant story
of change.

Ask
Ask everyone to consider ‘Most Significant Changes’ at different levels:

1. For themselves as caregivers.

2. For their children.

3. Within the family.

Module 12: Nest steps_June21_Version2 | © LSHTM 165

 Some ‘Most Significant Changes’ from Bangladesh:
• Having stronger networks with other caregivers in the community and
being able to support each other.
• Knowing more about their child and how to care for her.
• Feeling more confident with sharing information.
• Noticing their child’s abilities improving, meaning she can play with
other children.
• Parents having more free time because their child is more independent.
• More positive attitudes towards their child and family.

SHARING EMOTIONS
AND FEELINGS
Ask
“How did this session feel? Did it raise any emotions or feelings that you did not
expect? How have you been feeling this week? How are you feeling about the
end of the sessions?”

This is the end of the facilitated group sessions. Recognise that everyone may
have different feelings about it. Thank everyone for their time and contributions
to the sessions.

Module 12: Nest steps_June21_Version2 | © LSHTM 166