PARENTS in Okehampton looking for support and help with family and relationship issues can attend the latest in a series of sessions aiming to provide help.

Working in partnership with the Okehampton Learning Community, not-for-profit company Community Lynx SW CIC has organised a series of 'Parent Pop-up' sessions, aiming to allow parents to share their issues and concerns with parent and family support worker Sue Fairgrieve.

They can find out about parenting strategies and child development, to give an improved understanding of why children behave in certain ways, and what parents can do to help them and themselves.

Joining Sue at these sessions will be a number of other practitioners, who will also be available to listen to parents' concerns and share their experience and knowledge.

The first session in Bridestowe during November was declared a success, with comments from parents attending saying it was 'brilliantly useful', and 'well worth going to'. One user, Mary Ellery, said: 'It was really enlightening and she gave helpful, practical advice. I came away with many ideas and some useful books.'

Representatives from Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), the School Nurse Team and a speech and language therapy expert will be available at some of the planned sessions. This provides unique access to a number of services that would otherwise require an appointment.

In addition, natural health practitioner Gillian Grant will be at most of the sessions to demonstrate relationship building and stress reduction techniques. Okehampton Children's Centre and Citizens' Advice Bureau will be represented at all the sessions.

People are welcome to attend as many of the sessions as they choose. They run from 9am to 11am. There is no need to book or make an appointment, and the sessions will have a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

For further information call Heather Parks on 01837 650933 or visit http://www.okehamptonlc.org.uk">www.okehamptonlc.org.uk for more information on the dates listed.

The current planned sessions are: Wednesday January 22, Church Hall on Market Street, Okehampton, with Deborah Baker from CAMHS, Paula Martin, children's community health worker from School Nurse Team, and representatives from Okehampton Children's Centre and Citizen's Advice Bureau.

February 14, Endecott House in Chagford, with Lucy Bomford, a speech and language expert.

March 7, Hatherleigh Community Centre, with Lucy Bomford, a speech and language expert.

April 25, North Tawton Town Hall, with representatives to be confirmed.

May 16, Bridestowe Village Hall, with representatives to be confirmed.

June 11, Church Hall on Market Street, Okehampton, with Deborah Baker from CAMHS and Paula Martin, children's community health worker from School Nurse Team.

July 9, Boasley Cross Methodist Chapel Hall, with Paula Martin, children's community health worker from School Nurse Team.