How do the Family Caring Trust courses work?
All are easy-to-run, flexible, courses for groups of 8-12 participants. For each course there is a Leader's Guide with simple, clear instructions for each session (including a script which facilitators may use if they wish). Secondly, there is a Participant's Handbook (with case studies, skill-practice ideas, simple exercises and short chapters written in simple, jargon-free language). Each participant needs a copy of the Handbook – this needs to be borne in mind when ordering, as only one copy is included in the kit. In most of the courses there is also audio-visual input (DVD and video format) presenting typical family situations.

Where do the programmes come from?
The programmes, designed to provide support at all stages of the family life-cycle, have been developed and tested in co-operation with statutory and voluntary agencies throughout Britain and Ireland (see Value Base and Evaluation). Participants in the groups are enabled to improve their skills and develop more honest, respectful relationships in their families. The situations presented in the books and CDs/videos come out of a variety of age ranges and different social and ethnic backgrounds. Elizabeth Burgess of the Parkside Community Project in Wandsworth writes,

“We've facilitated sixteen of your courses since 2000 with encouraging feedback. In the last two years we're having more racially and culturally mixed groups, including people from four different continents, and they work well together. Your inclusion of people of different ethnic origin in the DVD is important for all groups but even more so for such mixed groups.”