Author: admin

Peppy from Beacon Family Services has put together some helpful information in Ukrainian that shares thoughts and ideas around everyday parenting struggles. These reflections cover a range of topics many families encounter and offer gentle, supportive approaches.

🎒 Managing School Overwhelm

Support your child when school feels like too much. Recognize the signs of overwhelm, allow time for rest, and work together to find strategies that reduce pressure and promote balance.

🖥 Helping Children Transition Away from the Screen

Screens are part of daily life, but transitions can be tricky. Try creating consistent routines, offering interesting alternatives, and engaging in shared activities that help shift focus gradually and respectfully.

🧠 How to Tell if Your Child is Struggling

Look for changes in mood, sleep, appetite, or interest in usual activities. Emotional or physical complaints might be signs your child is having a hard time. Be open to talking and listening without pressure.

🗣 Why Won’t My Child Listen?

Sometimes, what looks like “not listening” is actually overwhelm, frustration, or a need for more connection. Try to understand the emotion behind the behavior and respond with calm curiosity rather than control.

🌿 Low Demand Parenting for Neurodivergent Children

For neurodivergent children, reducing demands during tough times can be a powerful way to support regulation and trust. Respect their pace, prioritize connection, and adjust expectations to meet their needs.

🔗 For information and resources for Ukrainian refugee families in Birmingham, please visit Beacon Family Services website

We hope you find this information helpful.
Peppy and the Beacon Family Services team are here to offer support, ideas, and compassion for your parenting journey.

On Saturday 12 April our NB4U community came together to celebrate Easter. We had a wonderful time enjoying one another’s company. The children took part in Easter craft activities which were great fun. We were also joined by Caste Away who provided an interactive drama workshop.

This is what they said

This was our first workshop that included entire families, and it was a great! We explored experiences of coming to the UK, and we were honoured to have heard these stories. Thank you for trusting us.

We learned valuable lessons from this experience. We discovered more about the community, and they learned that one of our team members is a refugee and that a has visited Ukraine over ten times. We believe it’s essential to establish a connection based on shared experiences to facilitate collaboration and work together effectively. At first, we didn’t reveal our connection to Ukraine; instead, we focused on building trust through creative activities like play, fun and theatre. They had a pleasant surprise, and the world felt slightly smaller.

We thank you for your hospitality and allowing us into your community and safe space. We had a wonderful connection and shared many laughs with all of you.

This event was made possible by the generous support of Birmingham City Council

On March 15 we celebrated the launch of a truly special book, a book that tells stories of resilience, of bonds that transcend generations, and of the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. This book was the result of the hard work, dedication, and shared experiences of both young and elder members of the Ukrainian refugee community.

The “Connecting Generations” project has been a powerful testament to the importance of remembering our roots while building new futures. As we know, history is not just something that lives in the past; it is a living, breathing part of who we are today. And this book, crafted by the voices of both elders and young people, ensures that the history of Ukraine — its stories, its joys, its struggles — will not be forgotten, even in the face of the unimaginable hardships that have brought us here.

This project, funded by Birmingham City Council and commissioned by North Birmingham 4 Ukraine, was made possible by the unwavering support of many individuals and organizations. We are especially grateful to Kryla for facilitating the intergenerational sessions, creating the space for these meaningful conversations to take place. Through regular meetings, the young people asked questions, and the elders shared their invaluable experiences — stories of a time when life in Ukraine was full of joy, laughter, and simple pleasures. These shared memories have become the bridge that connects not only generations but also the past to the present.

It is a bitter irony that, while this book takes us back to a time of happiness in Ukraine, it also highlights the painful reality that the war has disrupted the lives of so many. The conflict has forced many of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters to leave behind the homes and lives they once knew, seeking refuge and starting anew in places like the West Midlands.

But through this project, we have seen something beautiful emerge. The act of “Connecting Generations” has allowed people of all ages to come together, to meet, to learn from each other, and to build new memories, all while holding onto the rich history of their homeland. The bond between the generations is strong, and it is that bond that will continue to carry our community forward, even in the most difficult times.

We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who made this project possible — from the young people and elders who shared their stories, to Kryla who ensured the creation of this book and to everyone who continues to offer support. Their contributions have created something that will not only serve as a precious memory for those who have lived it but will also educate and inspire future generations.

Looking forward remember that the strength of a community lies in its ability to honour the past, support the present, and work together to build a brighter future. Yesterday we celebrated not just a book, but a symbol of hope, unity, and resilience.

Thank you to everyone who came along to the celebration, to the team from Kryla who organised an amazing presentation and delicious Ukrainian food, to our fantastic volunteers who come along to make sure all our events run smoothly and to our prestigious guests, including the Mayor of Sutton Coldfield and his wife, the Mayor of Birmingham. Frances Thomas and June Marshall from BCC, Sandra Tittel from RMC, councillors David Pears and Des Hughes and Eric, Chrissie, Gerry and Carolyn from Wylde Green Rotary who gave up their Saturday to join us

This event was made possible by the generous support of Birmingham City Council

We spent a lovely afternoon decorating biscuits, including learning to use sugar paste! A big thanks to those who helped to set up, run the kitchen, help on the door, and cleaning up afterwards. Also, a big thank you to Beacon Family Services who came along to run a session with parents and children, and to Val for the craft table

A special thanks also goes to Beverley for organising the event and for baking all the biscuits for everyone to decorate. The children had great fun decorating and then eating them.

This event was made possible by the generous support of Birmingham City Council

The “Connecting Generations” project, created together by NB4U and Kryla, has once again brought together two generations for a unique joint effort on an upcoming book.

 Its pages will bring to life incredible and captivating stories from the older generation, carefully preserved and retold thanks to the young and talented participants of our project.

 The release of the first book written by two generations of Ukrainians is just around the corner! This is a truly special moment for all of us, as we create something unique, meaningful, and inspiring.

 Stay tuned for updates and don’t miss the book launch!