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Family Monsters

Jan’s story: how I supported my partner’s Mental Health journey

One of our Senior Behaviour Outreach Support Workers, Jan, opens up about her feelings around supporting her partner’s Mental Health…

FamilyLine – the conversation continues

It’s been one year since our vital helpline service FamilyLine opened its virtual doors to families across the nation. Since…

Emily’s story: when you’re having a Christmas baby…

Christmas is a special time for all families but for Emily the excitement is doubled by the prospect her baby…

How to survive Christmas as a single parent

Family Affairs and other matters blogger Lucy Campbell shares her thoughts and advice on surviving Christmas as a single parent.…

Ways to enjoy the outdoors with your family this Christmas 

Family can be a lot to cope with especially during the festive season but a brilliant way to let off…

Christmas traditions for you and your family 

Tradition is part of the fabric of Christmas and from the moment the lights go up and the adverts appear…

Managing family tensions at Christmas 

Christmas is a time many of us look forward to for a variety of reasons.  It could be due to time off work, the promise…

How to bring Christmas to your kitchen this festive season 

Sweet treats and Christmas go hand in hand. You can make some rewarding recipes with little effort, some willing helpers…

Jane’s story: The challenge of living far away from ageing parents

Christmas is a time for coming together with family and loved ones but that can be hard as those close…

Sam’s Story: How a box of bright balloons was the best Christmas present ever

There’s a lot of pressure on parents to ensure Christmas is magical for their children, and many of us can…

Managing Children’s Expectations of Christmas 

No family is an island and children are exposed to a range of views about what Christmas should mean to…

What we have lined up for ‘Families at Christmas’

Our Chief Executive David Holmes CBE introduces our festive blog series and talks about what we have in store for…

A thank you to our grandmas, grandpas, nans, grandads, grannies, and grandpops

Here at Family Action, we have a holistic approach to helping families – supporting every generation from babies, children and…

The research behind our work supporting families facing pressures

Now that the school summer holidays are over and children are back at school, our Chief Executive David Holmes CBE talks…

Screen time? How much is too much?

If you’re not sure what’s best for your children when it comes to screen time, you’ve come to the right…

Carl’s story: how we tackle our communication family monsters

As part of our Family Monsters campaign, we’ve been discussing some of the challenges families face during the holidays – including finding…

Charlotte’s story: managing financial family monsters as a single mum

As part of our Family Monsters Project’s focus this summer holidays, we’ve been asking families about the everyday struggles that can surface…

How parents can save money during the school holidays

We have already seen how some of our very simple tips for working parents can save you money during what can often…

Recipes to keep your family fed and happy this summer. Part 2

Finding healthy meals to feed the family during the holidays can be challenging. Read more of our simple summer recipes…

Simple summer recipes that will keep your family fed and happy Part 1 

Coming up with a different meal every day that the whole family will enjoy can be a real challenge, especially…

Top 5 things to do before you hear “I’m bored” this summer! Part 2

Already having fun with your family this summer thanks to our first 5 fun tips? Make the most of the…

How to feed your children on a budget… and have fun with food this summer 

Our Holiday Hubs work with families across the UK to provide meals and opportunities for family bonding through eating, learning…

How to keep your children entertained this summer

Community Engagement and Volunteer Support Worker, Julie Pike from one of our Holiday Hub services, shares some tips to ease…

Top 5 things to do before you hear “I’m bored” this summer! Part 1

We know that being a parent can be difficult at times, especially when it comes to keeping children entertained during…

Top Tips for Working Parents

Being a parent or carer can sometimes feel like a full time job in its own right – especially during…

Abbey’s story: family life and the stresses of the work-life balance

Below is Abbey’s story about how her and her husband manage their work-life balance… it’s not always easy that’s for…

Tobin’s story: how my new job welcomed me and my mental health monster

Project Manager Tobin, shares his experience with his mental health family monster, as the last blog in our series promoting…

Alex’s top tips for talking about Mental Health

Family Action’s Fundraising Officer Alex, shares her experience and tips around her mental health family monster, as part of our…

A Dad’s story: family monsters and feeling like we don’t have enough time together

Father’s Day is here but it’s worth remembering that although being a parent is incredibly rewarding it can be hard…

Catherine’s story: how I faced depression and my mental health family monsters

Family Action Learning and Development Coordinator, Catherine shares her mental health family monster as part of our series of blogs…

How to manage exam pressure and your family monsters

We caught up with a group of young carers recently who shared with us their insight into juggling exam pressures…

Jade’s story: why it’s important to talk about your family monsters

Blogger, Jade shares her experience of caring for her niece and nephew as a Special Guardian and why it’s important…

Leah’s story: how I managed my mental health family monster and my job

Administrator, Leah shares her own mental health family monster as part of our series of blogs celebrating Family Action’s commitment…

Fiona’s story: my mental health family monster and work

Early Years Coordinator, Fiona shares her own personal mental health experience as part of our series of blogs celebrating Family…

Green therapy for mental health and wellbeing

As the Chelsea Flower Show approaches and our Family Monsters Garden is unveiled we look at the role of our…

We’re officially 150 years old!

Today we’re celebrating our official 150 year anniversary read on to hear from our Chief Executive, David Holmes, CBE, about…

The centre piece of our garden: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019

Our landscape designer Alistair explains the centre piece, of our Family Monsters Garden, which contributes towards getting families to open up…

The trees in our garden: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019

Family Monsters Garden designer and idverde Landscape Architect Alistair Bayford looks at the trees being used in our garden at…

A Mum’s story: the helping hand I needed

A mother of three shares how she has managed her family pressures and how our Perinatal Support service gave her…

A daughter’s story: my number one mum – mental illness and all…

A daughter shares her experience of having a bipolar mum who is still her number one It’s a funny thing,…

A daughter’s story: when mum isn’t around

As Mother’s Day approaches a daughter who’s mum is sadly no longer around shares what the day means to her…

The steel structure behind our Family Monsters Garden at Chelsea

idverde landscape architect and our Family Monsters Garden designer, Alistair Bayford discusses the challenges of a “no dig” garden at…

Sarah Jarman’s story: the perfect mum?

Selfish Mother blogger Sarah Jarman shares her experience of being a mum and the pressure to be perfect as part…

The family monster that is sleep

We’re all constantly tired or definitely know someone who is – it’s a very common family monsters indeed. So we…

Alistair’s story: sharing his family monster and the inspiration behind our garden at Chelsea

Alistair our Family Monsters Garden designer, shares his own family monster and what inspired him to get involved with our…

Planting a Family Monsters Garden: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019

Our Family Monsters garden, was designed by idverde’s Alistair Bayford, who talks about his visit our flowers supplier – in…

The monsters in our garden: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019

Landscape architect and Family Monsters garden designer, Alistair Bayford discusses family monsters in the second of a series of articles…

Angela’s story: how a mum, tackled her family monsters

As part of the Family Monster Project we’re encouraging people to share their family pressures. Here’s the story of one Mum, Angela,…

Chelsea Flower Show with garden designer Alistair Bayford

Here, Alistair Bayford – our Landscape Architect for our RHS Chelsea Flower Show – talks about our garden’s concept, in…

FamilyLine a free out of hours helpline for families

FamilyLine is a free digital helpline service provided by Family Action, for anyone 18+.   FamilyLine was designed to offer…

Duchess of Cambridge launches FamilyLine

Duchess of Cambridge visits Family Action to launch FamilyLine and help get families talking about their pressures. Today the Duchess of…

Getting ready for the Duchess of Cambridge’s visit

Tomorrow the Duchess of Cambridge is visiting Family Action to launch our FamilyLine, a new confidential helpline for families. FamilyLine…

A Mum’s story: Facing your family monsters

A mum shares how one of our Perinatal Support Services and especially how her support worker *Jade has helped her…

Launching the Family Monsters Project – celebrating 150 years of Family Action

Our Chief Executive David Holmes CBE talks about the Family Monsters Project and what we have in store this, our…