About
The 10 Windsor Walk Therapeutic Parent, Baby and Toddler group is run by a team of parent-infant specialist psychoanalysts and psychotherapists. The project aims to support the parent-child relationships in early childhood (0-3 years), within the refugee and asylum seeking population of South London.
The project is delivered using a model of therapeutic playgroup described and elaborated by psychoanalyst Anna Freud and her colleagues, that is rooted in her work in Vienna and with homeless children during the second world war. It supports children and their families to explore upsetting events and feelings, without feeling pressured or threatened. We have seen more positive bonds made between parents and children as a direct result of the emotional support staff provide and children being able to play regularly with others their age.
Most parents in the playgroup have mental ill health including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety – which impacts on the parent-child relationship at a crucial time in their development. Some have concerns about how to help children with weaning, sleeping, socialising and walking. Our highly experienced staff use their knowledge of child development and psychoanalysis to support this though talking and playing.
Referrals
Referrals come from maternity and perinatal services, community charities and women’s shelters, amongst others. If you have a family in mind that you think would benefit from joining the playgroup, please contact us via our contact form.
The team
The weekly group is staffed by the same people in the same room, which provides structure and a safe place for families at a time of profound uncertainty.
Clinical Lead, Psychoanalyst – Fátima Martínez del Solar
Project Supervisor – Inge-Martine Pretorius
Playgroup Leader – Lisa Rose Akanuma
Playgroup Leader – Teresa Sarmiento
Playgroup Assistant – Sophie Dunn
Playgroup Assistant – Macarena Hernandez
Playgroup Assistant – Sophie Cox
Outreach Coordinator – Kate Steward
Thank you to our supporters
