Libby, Support Coach at Kids Matter, thinks about the Great River Race as a powerful metaphor for the journey parents and carers take through our programmes.
When I joined Kids Matter nearly a year and a half ago the words ‘rowing marathon’ were not even in my imagination. But something about what we do has inspired me to try things I never thought I would!
In September, along with a crew of seven others, I rowed 21.6 miles along the River Thames in under three hours. As a team, we raised over £12,000 for Kids Matter! It was a bit of a mad adventure but a good metaphor for what Kids Matter does.
Just like in a Kids or Babies Matter programme, a group of mostly strangers came together to try and do something amazing – row a marathon. None of us were rowing experts and most had very little confidence in our ability. There were quite a lot of nerves, like there might be for parents coming to their first session of a programme. We were supported by a trained Cox and a passenger who, like our brilliant facilitators, guided and coached us along the way. But we worked hard to learn the new skills we needed to navigate the river and together we made it to the finish line. Like the parents in a programme, we became a little community. We shouted encouragement to each other in the boat and reflected and celebrated in a WhatsApp group. We also learned some new skills and developed some competence in rowing. And, for me at least, there was a big confidence boost in taking on such a big challenge and succeeding.
In my role at Kids Matter, I get to speak to facilitators regularly. I love hearing about the experiences of parents in their programmes. I have also had the chance to facilitate and see for myself how parents have gained those three Cs – confidence, competence, and community. What a difference that makes for them and their families!
This term facilitators are supporting many more parents on this journey. Programmes are running in churches, schools, prisons, and community spaces across the UK. It’s amazing to think of the changes happening in family life and the difference this will make for this generation and the next too! Rowing in the Great River Race for Kids Matter was an amazing experience. It’s even more amazing that the money raised will help us reach more families with our programmes. I’m excited to hear their stories!