PAKT

What is Parents and Kids Together (PAKT) trying to achieve?

Parents And Kids Together is a YMCA Ireland programme that offers a fun, family-centred approach to youth development. Through PAKT we build the assets that lead to resilience, including social competence, participation, spirituality, physical well-being and parental support. PAKT ran in the following locations: Bantry, Cobh, Ballincollig, West Dublin, Crumlin, Dublin City and Carrickfergus.

What were some of the positive outcomes for young people/ staff/volunteers as a result of your programme/project/centre during the past year?

There was an increase in social competence for the children and young people participating in PAKT. We used a standardised measure to assess children’s level of social competence at three time points during the year. The change in social competence was statistically significant. ( See chart below).

What were some of the achievements or innovations during the past year ?

Some of the achievements included:

• Establishing a pilot project in Celbridge in response to local need
• Securing funding which allowed the Crumlin pilot project to continue after its pilot year
• Providing training for staff to help them work with children who have sensory processing difficulties
• Supporting the introduction of TechSpace and Makey-Makey activities into the PAKT Programme
• Integrating the Parents Plus programme into all of our work with parents

What were some of the feedback from parents on the programme?

68% say that PAKT has helped them be a better parent

82% say they are treated as the expert on their family’s needs

84% say they feel that they are part of a supportive community in PAKT

73% say that if their children or family were experiencing a difficulty they would talk to the PAKT staff about it.

73% say that through involvement in PAKT, they do more things together as a family

91% say that their child looks forward to PAKT

91% say that their child feels accepted in the PAKT group