‘When Dreams Change’

Multiply lay leader Jo Davies has co-facilitated a monthly support group for parents of children with additional needs at St. Mary’s Church, Boston Spa.

“I would have never thought that from a conversation at Bishopthorpe, within a year I would have attended When Dreams Change, co led one at church and now become a fully fledged facilitator.”-Jo Davies, Multiply Lay Pioneer

A year ago at the annual multiply gathering at Bishopthorpe I connected with Jenny Foreman who was also working with families with children with additional needs in Hull. She told me about a charity called growing hope that supports families with children with additional needs.

I contacted them a couple of weeks after attending Bishopthorpe to find out about a course they have created called When Dreams Change. I thought “I wont have time to do this maybe I can do it on line”, but then they said there was one in York and it turned out that I was able to do the dates and I did the course!

“When Dreams Change” gives you time to stop and reflect on what its like being a parent of children with additional needs.

Over 4 weeks it takes you through the story of Joseph in the bible and looks at topics like managing stress, nurturing relationships that may get strained because of what you're dealing with, not losing yourself as a person and thinking about your personal dreams. Stopping, being with other parents, working through the exercises and looking at your wellbeing was so valuable!

I met the facilitator who runs the course  in York and in March 24 she kindly offered to run it in Boston Spa and I co facilitated it with her at the church, we had 8 families from the support group that I run.

I have recently done the 2 day facilitators training on line and am looking forward to being able to offer it to local schools or run it at the church to help support more families in the area.

Jo Davies the Multiply Lay Leader in Boston Spa runs a weekly “Connections Café” and monthly evening service “Flourish”. Read more about Jo’s story here.