OCD-UK's PARENT PROJECT
Welcome to OCD-UK’s parent project page. Here you can find out more information about our National Lottery Community Funded project, and how the workshops we deliver aim to support and guide parents and carers who have children with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Testimonials
See what previous attendees have said about the parent workshops.
“Being at the OCD-UK workshop was such a different feel. It felt like the organisation was not just there to do the minimum. It was actively wanting to be as helpful as possible. I think that was really nice just to feel like it’s not just a hassle to somebody”
"Because the people delivering the course were people who had been through it, it gave me hope that I had quite frankly run out of."
"The workshop was fantastic! Not only did it give me more of an understanding of what OCD is, but it also gave me some practical tips of how to deal with it better at home."
"For me personally, it has given me hope for the first time that my child will lead a fulfilling life of relationships, family and a career."
"It was the first time that I have liaised with anyone who actually understands OCD."
"The workshop is very simply a “gift” and a very generous one because for the first time in 8 years my partner and I felt understood."
How do I book a place on a workshop?
You can find the booking options at the bottom of this page, however, please scroll down and read all of the information on this page before accessing the booking page. It’s important you know more information about the project and the workshops before booking.
What is the Parent Project?
OCD-UK has been granted some funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to design and deliver online and in-person educational workshops for parents who have children with OCD. The project is specifically designed for parents who have children between the ages of 5-18 which is the CAMHS age bracket (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). The workshops will cover the following:Introduction to OCD
In-depth information about OCD, how it works, and why it’s so compelling for those who have it.Symptoms
Exploring the different symptoms of OCD, including recognising the less obvious symptoms that can occur.Evidence-based treatment
Information on the evidence-based treatment for OCD, what it involves, what it should look like, and how to access it.How to help at home
Exploring different ways to respond to OCD and how to support your child without taking on the role of a therapist.Parent interaction
The opportunity to communicate with other parents who are experiencing the same difficulties and hurdles.Lived experience
The project host has lived experience of OCD, and there will also be volunteers present. Some of the volunteers are parents of children who are now in recovery from OCD, other volunteers are young adults who have lived experience of accessing treatment via CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).About the host
Hello, I’m Zoë.
I am the Parent Lead for this National Lottery Community Funded project, and I am in recovery from OCD. I have a lot of experience in working with parents who have children with OCD and delivering educational workshops to employers who have requested training on how to support a colleague or service users with OCD
Overall, I am very passionate about supporting family members who have a loved one with OCD, and I co-host alongside my OCD-UK colleagues to deliver specific themed online support groups to people who are supporting a loved one with OCD.
FAQ's
We have listed some of the most commonly asked questions about our parent workshops, however, if you have any questions which aren’t listed here, please email us at parents@ocduk.orgCan any parent/carer attend?
The workshops are open to any parent/carer in the UK who has a child between the ages of 5-18 with OCD.Can I attend if my child is over 18?
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer spaces to parents who have children over the age of 18. This is because the content is only relevant for parents who have children in the CAMHS age bracket (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). These ages are 5-18. Our funding also only covers this particular demographic.Can I attend if my child doesn’t have a formal diagnosis?
Yes, absolutely. Some parents’ children may not have a formal diagnosis, or they are not yet receiving any treatment. We know it isn’t straight forward to get a diagnosis, and the waiting lists can be lengthy. The workshops are open to any parent/carer who believes their child could have OCD.Can I bring someone with me?
The workshops are only available to parents or carers of children with OCD, and therefore we can’t offer places to friends, siblings, or grandparents unless they are a primary carer of the child who is experiencing OCD.Can I attend more than one?
No, we can’t offer spaces to people who have already attended a workshop, whether that be online or in-person. Please make sure you select your desired workshop because we will be unable to offer spaces to any other workshops once you have attended.Can my child join?
The workshops are only suitable for parents/carers, and we cannot offer tickets to children. It’s important that parents/carers have the space to talk about how they feel, access the support they need, and learn about OCD without the presence of their child, or any others. This also applies to online workshops.Will there be breaks?
There will be frequent breaks included in the workshops. If you attend an in-person workshop, lunch is provided. At the beginning of the workshop the facilitator will run through the agenda and estimate times for breaks.Can professionals attend?
No, these workshops are for parents and caregivers only. If you are a professional that requires some educational training within your team, please contact office@ocduk.org to arrange a call about the employers’ workshops we deliver.What’s the difference between online and in-person?
The online workshops have been designed to ensure that the content, activities, interactivity, and focus will mirror the in-person workshops.Are they free?
Yes, its completely free to attend. We ask people to be mindful that although tickets are free to attendees, the workshops come at a cost to the charity. Therefore, if you have booked a ticket and are no longer able to attend, we appreciate being informed as soon as possible so the ticket can go to another parent who may wish to attend, and we can avoid paying for a delegate who won’t be at the event.Will OCD-UK pay for my travel?
The workshops are free of charge, however, if you are attending an in-person workshop you will need to fund your own travel and any accommodation. We strongly advise to book refundable travel and accommodation options because in the event of any unforeseen circumstances which result in the cancellation of the workshop, OCD-UK is unable to cover any cancellation fees.Can I volunteer for this project?
There will be volunteers involved in this project who are parents of children who are now in recovery from OCD. These volunteers are people who help to shine a light of hope to the attendees. If you are the parent of a child who is now in recovery form OCD, and you would like to volunteer, please contact us at parents@ocduk.orgDo you have a question about the project that isn’t listed above? Email us at parents@ocduk.org
You can choose from
In-person Workshop
A full day, live and interactive workshop which will take place in various locations across the country. The workshop will be delivered by OCD-UK’s Parent Lead. Click ‘book now’ to see the different locations available.
Online Workshop
A full day, live and interactive workshop which will take place online. The workshop will be delivered by OCD-UK’s Parent Lead and will contain the same content, activities and exercises as an in-person workshop.
This project was made possible through funding by a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.
