Family Support Worker
Hello! My name is Michelle Brightwell and, alongside my role as Playleader with Pippins, I am the Family Support Worker at Freegrounds Junior School. My role in school is to provide support, advice and information to the families within our school community. I can help you with any worries or concerns you may have in relation to your child’s education, behaviour or wellbeing. I am also here as someone to talk to and lend a listening ear for any family difficulties you may be facing. My role in supporting families will include the following:
- Meeting with and getting to know families
- Promoting good attendance and punctuality
- Advice and support in promoting positive behaviours at home
- Providing information and signposting to other services such as housing, food banks and other local support
- Providing workshops in school to support parents
Coffee Mornings
I host regular coffee morning sessions, which have been very popular and always consist of a short presentation with tea/coffee and biscuits followed by the children of any parent/carer attending joining them for a fun activity session.
Cooking with Michelle - online family cooking events
I host a cooking session from my own kitchen one evening per term. We have around 50 families joining up to these events which is fantastic and a brilliant community feel with all our families coming together over TEAMS. These are fully funded by Eastleigh Borough Council, and families who sign up receive all the ingredients they need to join in from the comfort of their own kitchens.
This year, I’ve also introduced some exciting new opportunities:
• Cookery classes for parents, run with Chef Liam during the school day. We have just completed our initial six-week session, cooking some basic but tasty recipes on a budget.
• A Community Gardening club, where I’d love grandparents to join us as volunteers to share their skills and wisdom with the children.
If you would like a friendly chat, you can contact me via the school office – I am available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, 9.00am-12.00 noon by calling the school phone number – 01489 782295.
I am always happy to hear from any parent or carer and I can arrange to have a chat away from the hustle and bustle of the main reception area, perhaps over a cup of tea or coffee, outside of school at a local coffee shop or at your home if you would prefer.
I look forward to meeting you all, and to working together to support your children throughout their journey here at Freegrounds Junior School.
Michelle Brightwell