PTA wellbeing events for parents, any idea?

[Tasha32]

I've been part of the school, I work at, PTA since around Christmas and alot of the events we do are fundraising for the school. As a school the staff have wellbeing events which are really great fun. I was thinking as part of the PTA maybe it would be an idea to have a wellbeing event for parents but rather than the usual event I want to do an event for discussions that are important for the parents such as support in different areas e.g after school activities, or workshops on different topics.
If anybody has any ideas or have done any events give me your suggestions or commet😊

I want to do an event for discussions that are important for the parents such as support in different areas e.g after school activities, or workshops on different topics.

What you are describing here, is a really valuable thing for a school, but isn't really for the wellbeing of parents.
We did lots of these sorts of things in all the schools I worked in, and the schools where I was a parent during the 1st decade or so of this century.
I think they were really helpful for changes in the schools, often really small things that made a huge difference.

Then we also used to do what (in our LA at least) were called 'Inspire Workshops' where each child had to bring an adult into school to learn about maths or history, or art and craft, or speaking and listening, or whatever the topic was that year.

Of course now, teachers' energy is completely sapped by 'proving things' to OFSTED or bought in pretend inspectors, by pointless paperwork, so there is nothing left for such 'add ons' that used to happen.

We used to do the "parent workshops" like you said where parents come in and do something with the children regarding a topic they've been learning before covid, so I may suggest this starting up again.
I was thinking of things like money saving tips, mental health discussions or just a meeting place for parents to come and chat to other parents that they normally wouldn't and discussions/opinions on different subjects.

I think that is beyond the remit of school. I would not advise anyone to be discussing their mental health at an event organised by the PTA.

I think there are many many families who could use this sort of support. I also thjnk that those families are statistically most likely to be disenfranchised with "authority" in generally including schools (along with police, social services etc). I also think it's beyond the remit of school.

Wellbeing-lite like a 'paint n sip' session or whatever I can see working more.

I really wouldn’t like to do anything ‘serious’ with school. Eg talking about money or mental health. I’d worry that the people running it wouldn’t be properly qualified, and about confidentiality.

School could massively improve my well-being by being less shit with communications. Finding out on Tuesday that it’s dress like a Roman day on Thursday (for instance) is massively stressful.

So I’d focus on how your school can help in really practical, relevant ways, rather than doing something new and (probably, sorry) a bit half hearted.

I wouldn’t want to attend a parent workshop run by PTA. I wouldn’t want the PTA members knowing if I had issues. I would also feel it’s not their place or skill set to do so.

But then I am currently quite fed up with our PTA. They have a tendency for giving no notice to bring small amounts of loose change to school all the bloody time! I don’t have change! I’d rather give £10 at the beginning of the year and it cover all the events!

My mental health would be improved if the PTFA demanded less of my time.

I wouldn't want to have anything to do with it. It's not PTA appropriate imo.

Just have some coffee mornings and let people chat naturally.
What you suggested isn't really what a PTA is for.

You could find a well-being expert in your local area and ask them to host a coffee morning/ informal group chat session on school premises?

It seems like alot of people have a negative view on what school PTAs do! I work in the school and I have also got children who have been in the school so I have seen it from both sides. PTAs run these events to raise money to help better the school & the children's education with new play equipment, resources, help towards trips etc. Events such as bingo nights & quiz nights are just a fun way to get people together aswel as fundraise.
I like the idea of bringing in well-being expert for a coffee morning, Thank you CaveMum😊
I think I'm also going to do an evening for my school to inform people of what a PTA does & is about too that way I hope people don't have such a negative view as I know some parents do.

@Tasha32 the events you suggested though (parents information events) aren't really events that most PTA's do to raise money.
You've now said about Bingo/Quiz nights - that's a totally different thing (and generally very popular).

The information evening won't be for raising money nor would a well being event. I just think these are ideas that as a PTA we could do to help out the school. I'm trying to step away from the norm & think of new ideas some of which may benefit the school, children & their parents with out just "always asking for money". Coffee mornings with experts is definitely a good way to socialise and get information.

I wouldn’t have thought this kind of event would be appropriate as per your constitution?

As a teaching assistant & 1:1 who works on the PTA, I have done many courses to help aid me in my job so certain subjects I would be able to advise on and having a good relationship with parents I think that they would be happy to take my advice but of course without any knowledge I would bring in experts.

I know exactly what the PTFA do and how much schools are struggling finances. I would rather just send them £50 at the start of the year and be done with it.

@Tasha32 I don't think you need "coffee mornings with experts" - just coffee mornings.
Parents can chat and make friends and then as friendships evolve then a wellbeing support network will probably evolve.
As people have said many parents might not want people to know that they need some mental health support or financial help or other private issues - but what they would like is a friendly casual conversation.

@Tasha32 at my daughter's primary there was a leaflet stand and notice board near the main entrance which had all the information for local support groups, children's centres, parent classes, details of food banks etc.
More discreet for those that need it.
Keep the coffee mornings for (friendly) gossip.

That's a good idea, thank you 😊

I have a very good understanding of what the PTA does. And I’m happy that they raise money for the school. But our one appears to think all the children bringing in 20p every other week for more and more ridiculous events is the way to go. I also do not want to have organised fun with other parents from school

But I am happy for them to fundraise. So one event a term that costs £2 per child would make my life much easier

I think I'm also going to do an evening for my school to inform people of what a PTA does & is about too that way I hope people don't have such a negative view as I know some parents do.

So you are going to ask parents, to give up another evening, to come to a meeting to explain to them that there is a group, called the PTA who want you to give up evenings to raise money for the school ?

I mean, I don't have a negative image of the PTA, and helped at events at 3 different schools when my dc were there, but I would come away with a negative opinion if I'd made all the arrangements to go to a meeting, for it to turn out to be a meeting to tell you about further meetings.

@Tasha32 yes you don't need a meeting to explain what the PTA does. A letter would be better or a representative in the playground at pick up to give information about it.
Edit - or rather a "flyer" leaflet than a letter. Letters are a bit formal.

A flyer, what a good idea😊

I’m on the PTA Committee and this is not something we would do.

Our remit is raising funds for the school and of course part of that is getting parents on board and developing good, enduring relationships with parents. But we’re also so aware that parents have so many time commitments already. Anything we run is either a fun entertainment family event or something they can drop the kids off at like movie night.

I also wouldn’t do an evening ‘what is the PTA’ event. At my DC’s old school they tried this and a grand total of two people turned up! Better to stick to a newsletter or posters at drop off points 🙂

At the end of the day, we don’t really mind if parents have no idea who we are! We just want to provide fun events and activities throughout the school year that don’t cost a bomb and are entirely optional / voluntary.

We have new intake in September so these parents may not know any about the PTA and what it is/does.