Stockport Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC)

What we do

Stockport Empowering Parents Empowering Communities (EPEC) is a popular parenting programme delivered for parents, and by parents, in their own communities.

We offer a mixture of workshops and courses, virtual and face to face, helping parents to learn practical communication skills essential for navigating everyday challenges and nurturing confident, happy and cooperative children.

Our courses cover a range of topics including:

• understanding children's emotions
• fostering quality time through play
• managing behaviour effectively
• discipline strategies
• enhancing listening and communication skills
• coping with parental stress

We offer a variety of specialised courses tailored to different stages of parenting and family dynamics, including:

• Baby and us: a course designed to give your baby the best start in life. It'll help support you to understand your babys cues, cope with challenges and manage parental stress
• Being a parent: for parents and carers of children aged 2 to 11 years
• Living with teenagers: for parents and carers of adolescents aged 11 to 16 years
• Being a parent (autism): specifically designed for parents and carers of children aged 2 to 11 years diagnosed with autism or on the pathway
• Being a parent together: a course designed for couples and co-parents to undertake jointly

Courses run during term-time across Stockport, spanning 8 to 10 weeks with sessions lasting 2 to 2.5 hours each, typically running as morning sessions.

In addition, parents have the opportunity to train to become EPEC Parent Group Leaders, empowering them to co-facilitate courses throughout Stockport. This involves a comprehensive training delivered over 10 weeks, with sessions conducted face-to-face one day a week, term time only. We offer support such as reimbursement for travel expenses, provision of lunch and refreshments during training, and assistance with childcare arrangements as needed (to be arranged in advance).

Upon successful completion of the training, Parent Group Leaders (PGLs) join our EPEC volunteer hub. PGLs benefit from continuous professional development opportunities provided by Stockport Council and partner organisations, along with participation in social gatherings and ongoing support including travel assistance, refreshments, and childcare provisions to facilitate EPEC courses across Stockport.

If you're interested in joining a course, fill out the expression of interest form. Our team will send you an invitation when the next term's courses are about to begin.