FREE online parenting courses are being launched for families across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The courses focus on supporting the relationships between parents, grandparents, and/or carers and their children by improving emotional health and wellbeing.

The four courses provide information about pregnancy and birth, brain development, and the physical and emotional development of your baby right up through childhood to teenage years and young adulthood.

Funding for the resources, which are based on the Solihull Approach, has been provided by Local Maternity Systems from across Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and Devon, which is made up of representatives from across health and care organisations.

Dr Lynette Rentoul, consultant child psychiatrist, said: ’We know that parenting is the biggest factor in determining children’s wellbeing and development. The Solihull Approach parenting programme has proved itself to be a highly successful and practical approach to support parent’s understanding of, and connection with their babies and children. It not only plays a vital role in ensuring children have a good start in life, it also enhances the joy, wonder and pride that parents and children can find in each other.’

Trudie Roberts, maternity matron and Local Maternity Services midwife, said: ’We want babies to have the very best start in life, for their parents to feel supported when they use our services and once they leave the maternity care we want that experience to continue. The free online courses do just that, providing easy to access practical support at any time of the day which will help shape babies long-term resilience and mental health and wellbeing throughout their lifetime.’

Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for children, wellbeing and public health, Sally Hawken added: ’The opportunity to offer these online courses to all residents of Cornwall and our neighbours in Devon for three years reflects how working together across the health and care system can have a real benefit for our communities.

’I’m delighted that in Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, of which the theme, aptly, this year is ‘seeing the world through babies’ eyes’, we are able to make this excellent support available to everyone.’

Access to the free online courses is available at www.inourplace.co.uk using the code TAMAR, which provides lifetime access. The courses are available in different languages including Urdu, Polish, Chinese, Bulgarian and Arabic.