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Family Bonding

Supported by a Parent Infant Relationship Practitioner

Lighthouse Centre, Haverigg
Every Wednesday, 13:45 – 15:15
No need to book—just drop in!

Looking for a friendly space to spend quality time with your baby? Family Bonding is a relaxed, welcoming group where you can enjoy gentle, interactive activities designed to help you strengthen your relationship with your little one. Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding to your family, this is a space where you can learn, connect, and feel supported.

Get in touch

Our sessions are led by a qualified Parent Infant Relationship Practitioner trained in Assessing Parent Infant Relationships, with Brazleton Newborn Behavioural Observation qualifications. We draw on attachment theory and infant mental health research to gently support the relationship between you and your baby. Every session is planned with the parent-infant relationship at its heart, so that what looks like simple play is always designed to support how you and your baby connect, communicate, and respond to one another.

Babies are born ready to connect but they need a tuned-in adult to make sense of the world with them.

Researchers call this "serve and return". This is the science behind attachment, and it's what we gently support every week

Learn more about our team

What to expect

A Friendly Listening Ear – Our experienced Parent Infant Practitioners are here to support you and your little one, offering guidance in a relaxed and caring environment.

Understanding Your Baby – Learn how to recognize and respond to your baby’s cues, helping you feel more confident in understanding their emotions and needs.

Engaging Activities – Enjoy playful and nurturing experiences that support your baby’s emotional security and help you connect in new ways.

Space for Reflection – Take a moment to think about your own feelings and how your past experiences shape your parenting journey—all in a supportive, judgment-free space.  What you share with us during sessions or check-ins stays private. The only time we would ever need to share information is if we were seriously worried about you or your baby’s safety, in line with our Safeguarding Policy — and wherever possible, we’d talk this through with you first.

A Supportive Community – Meet other parents, share experiences, and build friendships in a warm and welcoming environment.

Why Your Relationship with Your Baby Matters

The early years lay the foundation for your baby’s future. A strong, secure relationship helps your baby grow with confidence, emotional resilience, and the ability to communicate their needs. By tuning into their emotions and responding with care, you’re ensuring you’re giving them a good enough start in life.

Feeling unsure about coming along

Some parents come to us bursting with confidence, just looking for something fun to do together. Others come because they’re finding bonding harder than they expected, recovering from a difficult birth or pregnancy, or simply feeling overwhelmed by early parenthood. Both — and everything in between — are completely welcome here. You don’t need a reason to come, and you don’t need to have it all figured out. If you have any questions or aren’t sure if this group is the right fit, feel free to reach out! We’re happy to chat and can help signpost you to the support that best meets your needs.

FAQs

Do I need to book a place?

No, just drop in! We welcome parents and babies every Wednesday at 1:45 PM. Keep an eye our on our social media channels for any updates on our groups.

Is this group suitable for newborns?

Yes! Family Bonding is designed for parents from pregnancy through to their baby’s second birthday. The activities are gentle and focused on strengthening your relationship with your little one, whether you’re preparing for their arrival or navigating the early years.

Do I need to bring anything?

Just yourself and your baby! We provide all the toys and activities needed for the session.

What if my baby cries or needs feeding?

That’s completely normal! This is a relaxed and baby-friendly space, so you can feed, change, or comfort your baby as needed.

What happens during a ‘Relationship Check-In’?

Our Parent Infant Relationship Practitioner offers informal observations to support and celebrate your relationship with your baby. It’s completely optional, confidential, and not an assessment—just a way to help you feel more confident.

I’m feeling unsure about coming, is this group right for me?

Absolutely! Many parents feel nervous about attending new groups, but Family Bonding is a welcoming and supportive space. If you’d like to chat before coming along, feel free to reach out to us!

Family Bonding is often where relationships begin to grow — but it’s just one part of how we support families.

If, during a session, we notice you or your baby might benefit from more focused support, we’ll gently let you know what’s available — whether that’s a closer look through a Relationship Check-In, a confidential conversation through Time to Talk Together, or simply pointing you toward another service. There’s no pressure, and you’re always in control of what happens next.

For Health & Family Professionals

Health visitors, midwives, social workers, and other family practitioners are welcome to refer families directly into our relationship support services. There’s no referral form to fill in — simply speak with the family first to let them know we’ll be in touch, then email us their details at info@goodenoughstart.org and we’ll take it from there.

You might consider a referral if you notice a parent and baby who could benefit from some extra support to build their connection — for example, where a parent seems unsure how to engage with their baby’s cues, finds it hard to find enjoyment in time together, or seems disconnected or overwhelmed during interactions. This isn’t about identifying a problem — many parents simply benefit from a low-pressure space to practise and build confidence in getting to know their baby.

Contact us about a Family

How we work alongside families

I really look forward taking my son to the Group Enough Start groups each week, we enjoy the friendly welcome from the staff, the bonding time together and meeting other parents and children from the local area.

– Fran, 2026

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