Parents of West End Primary School students were given the opportunity to engage with a team of helping agencies to explore the challenges families face today.

Held under the theme “Raising Strong, Resilient and Connected Young People”, the event brought together parents and community guest speakers for an evening of “meaningful discussions, practical strategies and valuable resources to support children's well being and development”.

Fitzgerald William, a therapist and cofounder of Masc, which offers counselling services to men, shared tips on raising young males, highlighting the importance of guidance, understanding and positive support in nurturing confidence and responsibility.

Teledo Breary of the non-profit Help Me Speak Up Foundation discussed how parents can help children navigate social media safely, emphasising the importance of online safety, open communication and responsible digital habits.

Latisha Lister-Burgess, the executive director of the Employee Assistance Programme, provided practical advice on managing parental stress and balancing the demands of work and family life. Her discussion highlighted the importance of maintaining personal wellbeing while meeting the needs of the family.

Representatives from the Family Centre Raynisha Simmons, senior family support specialist, and Beatriz Aguiar, counsellor, shared behaviour-management strategies and discussed the importance of establishing clear boundaries to encourage positive behaviour and healthy relationships between parents and children.

A spokeswoman for the event said: “The evening was an enriching experience, providing parents with an opportunity to learn, share experiences and strengthen their confidence in navigating the joys and challenges of parenting.

“The event also reinforced the importance of collaboration between schools, families and community organisations in supporting the development of well-rounded, resilient and connected young people.

“West End Primary School extends sincere thanks to all the guest speakers for generously sharing their knowledge and expertise.

“Special appreciation is also extended to the dedicated staff of West End Primary School, Ms Bowen, the school counsellor, and Trina Cariah, the principal, for their hard work and commitment in making the event a success.

“The school looks forward to hosting more opportunities in the future to empower parents, strengthen family connections and build a supportive community where every child can thrive.”