Intentional parenting

Tag: government

  • Miles for Mind

    2026 loading bolder, strategic and impactful! Watch the space

    Miles for Minds: Walk & Thrive – Migrant Mental Health Awareness Challenge

    We are really excited to have you join us for the walking challenge this May!

    Walking challenge:

    In a bid to encourage better mental health, we are encouraging MIGRANT parents to participate in the 10k steps a day challenge. You can add this up through jogging, skipping etc. As parents the struggles of raising children in diaspora can impact greatly on your overall well being.

    For those of us who are migrants, the challenges with our mental health is even greater. The stresses of travel and living in a different culture and society cannot be under estimated. World Health Organisation advocates for good mental well being for migrants and refugees, WHO.

    Walking as a form of exercise is well researched to aid good mental wellness. We have chosen walking as its low impact and we want to incorporate meditation into that walking space. More details on the benefits of walking are here

    We are keen to hear and engage fathers, migrant men on this challenge.How are they coping with stresses of living abroad? Please do invite the male figures in your life. For ideas/ comments/ suggestions do get in touch here

    Campaign Objective:

    To promote mental wellness among migrants through daily walking, peer connection, and storytelling, while raising awareness and reducing stigma around migrant mental health issues.

    Target Audience:

    Migrants and refugees in the UK, African and ethnic minority communities, Mental health allies, professionals, and local councils Employers and community organisations.

    Duration:

    1st – 31st May (Mental Health Awareness Month)

    Core Activities:

    Daily Walking Challenge: Participants aim to walk at least 5,000–10,000 steps a day. You can track and share progress via our Strava community or WhatsApp group using the hashtag #MilesForMinds.

    You can join the walking challenge from anywhere. We encourage you to find times that suit you and share your step count with us for motivation and encouragement on strava . You can also join our Facebook page if you prefer.

    On the last Saturday of the month which is 30th, weather permitting we are meeting in Buckinghamshire to celebrate our wins! More details to be shared on Strava.

    2- Meditation Journal

    Yes we have taken to journaling this month as well as part of mental health first aid. For those who believe in the power of God’s word, this is a resource for you. Click here to download the 31day journal that we will be using throughout this month.

    The journal is there to prompt you to take 5mins and jot down how the day went for you. Please use this as part of self care. It’s key to CREATE that 5mins to write down how your day has been.

    We want to demonstrate to our children how we take care of ourselves and that we take mental wellness seriously. Identifying and naming your feelings and emotions is paramount in taking care of your mental health.

    Affirmations

    Others may prefer affirmations to journaling. Feel free to use those above or find an alternative.

    3- MEET UPS

    We are meeting up on the 24th in Milton keynes for a garden workshop. Registration is mandatory and closes on the 15th of May to help with planning. If interested, do register via link or QR code below.

    4- Group walking

    We are going to be using Strava to encourage each other, have a lead board and share some insight. Can’t wait! Please do sign up here and get acquainted to our Strava group ; Miles for Mind.. 😍

    5- Community

    Intentional Parenting UK is home to BOLD and courageous parents. Our 6am community is a place of growing and drawing strength from the giver of all that is good is perfect. We believe in creating SAFE spaces for parents to flourish and that takes intentionality and a willingness to WORK!

    We welcome parents with a heart of service, open minded and who DARE to live unapologetic in their convictions and beliefs. We are not a platform for people who want to watch/ observe or just sit, be prepared to put in the work and this means engaging with other parents contributing to this growing community.

    Check out the rest of our blog on all thing intentional Parenting.

    📌This year promises to be amazing. Do express interest here and will send you the strava link as well to join the walking community.

    Do follow us on facebook and instagram

    Every blessing

    Fadzi x

  • Safeguarding your children as a parent

    Understanding Safeguarding

    Safeguarding refers to the measures taken to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and harm. It involves promoting their welfare, ensuring they grow up in a safe environment, and taking action when there are concerns about their safety.

    Our founder and director Fadzai is a safeguarding consultant with extensive experience working at senior level in health and social care covering both public and private sector organisations. Full detail on her linkdn

    Key Safeguarding Responsibilities for Parents

    1. Recognising Signs of Abuse and Neglect

    Parents should be aware of potential signs of harm, which can include:

    • Physical abuse: Unexplained bruises, burns, or fractures.

    • Emotional abuse: Low self-esteem, withdrawal, or fearfulness.

    • Sexual abuse: Inappropriate sexual knowledge, fear of a certain person, or secrecy. This includes sexting, where young people send inappropriate images to each other.

    • Neglect: Poor hygiene, malnutrition, or lack of supervision, medical neglect.

    If you suspect abuse, contact your local safeguarding team, GP, school, or social services. You can also call the NSPCC (0808 800 5000) or Childline (0800 1111) for guidance.

    2. Online Safety Measures

    With increasing screen time, safeguarding children online is essential:

    • Use parental controls on devices and apps.

    • Monitor social media activity and set boundaries.

    • Teach children about online dangers, including cyberbullying and grooming.

    • Encourage open discussions so they feel safe reporting concerns.

    3. Supervision and Safe Environments

    • Always know your child’s whereabouts and who they are with.

    • Ensure they have a trusted adult to confide in.

    • Teach them about “stranger danger” while balancing the need to be polite.

    • Ensure babysitters, nannies, or carers are DBS-checked and reputable.

    4. Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

    Children’s mental well-being is just as important as physical health. Look out for:

    • Sudden changes in mood or behaviour.

    • Anxiety, depression, or withdrawal from activities.

    • Self-harm or talk of hopelessness.

    Encourage open conversations and seek professional support through your GP, school counsellors, CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), or charities like YoungMinds.

    5. Health and Medical Safeguarding

    • Keep up with childhood immunisations.

    • Store medications safely out of children’s reach.

    • Teach basic first aid and when to call 999 in emergencies.

    • Encourage a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition and exercise.

    6. Safeguarding in Schools and Activities

    • Ensure schools have strong safeguarding policies and designated safeguarding leads (DSLs).

    • Check that clubs, sports teams, and extracurricular activities follow child protection policies.

    • Encourage children to report bullying or any uncomfortable experiences.

    What to Do If You Have Concerns

    If you suspect a child is at risk, take immediate action:

    1. Report concerns to the school’s DSL, GP, or local safeguarding team.

    2. Contact social services or the police (101 for non-emergency, 999 for urgent danger).

    3. Use national helplines like NSPCC, Barnardo’s, or the Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships (LSCPs)

    Final Thoughts

    Safeguarding is a shared responsibility among parents, caregivers, professionals, and the wider community. By staying informed, creating open conversations, and knowing where to seek help, you can play a vital role in keeping your child safe and supported.

    For further advice, visit:

    • NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk

    • Childline: www.childline.org.uk

    • UK Government Safeguarding Guidance: www.gov.uk

    If you need specific advice, advocacy, safeguarding concerns or challenges, feel free to ask. Get in touch with Fadzai here

    Remain intentional

    Fadzai x

  • Child Q

    Intentional parenting stands with Child Q. As a community of black African parents, we will work with our community at large to heal on the trauma that we have faced.

    What makes Child Q a very distressing and complex case is the layers of abuse, discrimination, injustice the community faces. To rectify these issues requires a system wise approach. For instance, why didn’t Child Q refuse to be undressed without her parents there??

    As I write it’s difficult to imagine what must have been going through her mind when all this was happening. I want to take a minute and applaud the relationship Child Q has with her mother that she was able to share the horrors of what happened to her.

    Thank you to the Hackney Safeguarding who took this forward to the panel.

    We are holding a series of webinars to discuss about this trauma, led by qualified practitioners from education, health, safeguarding, parenting,faith, youth work and many others.

    Intentional Parenting invites those with expertise in those areas, are willing to work with our community to get in touch via our contact page below via email/ phone/ whatsapp.

    We are open and willing to work with both statutory and voluntary organisations in forging a way forward.

    We understand that this is not an isolated incident. We will speak to our children and LISTEN to their experiences. We will LEARN from their experiences and stand with them.

    We promise to make time and read the SCHOOL policies so we are familiar with them.

    As a community we will seek opportunities to be part of the change both in schools and our local areas. These will include volunteering and participating in events that involve our children’s education such as school governorship, PTA (parent teacher association), youth work etc.

    We pledge to continue working within our community and other partner agencies in making sure ALL children thrive and reach their potential.

    To Child Q and many others, we see you. we hear you. As your parents forgive us for times we didn’t believe you, we are willing to do the work.

  • UK elections

    UK elections

    Praying for our government as we await the results. May Godly counsel, wisdom and understanding reign in Number 10. May the government have a heart for family life, stand for what is true and lead with justice. 

    As parents and citizens we will not cower in fear over the plans of the enemy concerning our children, but we will rise up with courage and confidence in prayer to protect and defend the lives of our children. May God’s grace continue to abound as we demonstrate charity in our homes and communities. Let unity and love reign over this nation. We speak unending grace over our education system. As parents, grant us the understanding that we are our children’s greatest teachers. Help us when we do not know how. Give us wisdom to work smart and create time with our children. Help us to be parents so no one else parents our children. Remind us when we forget what a privilege it is to be stewards of our precious children. 

    Above all, we ask that you continue with us in all that we do.

    We declare England is blessed psalm 33: 12❤