RAPID  through the Community Help in Learning & Development (CHILD) project aims to: provide rural families with the skills, knowledge and support systems to deal with transition, crisis and major changes; provide a support infrastructure for rural families to develop and grow together, and, reduce isolation felt by parents and children living in rural communities and ' sleeper villages'. The project will be delivered over 5 years throughout the rural Derry City & Strabane District Council area.

The project will be delivered through a tailored family programme of activities which can be categorised around 3 transitional periods - preconception/conception/0-3 years, 3 years plus and post primary. Some families may transition through the pre-conception to pre-school programmes and activities whilst others may seek support through the transitional programme or crisis support only.  

• 0-3 programme will focus on health and early development, bonding and interaction, parent and child skills, childcare, lifestyle and well-being, preparing for education, crisis intervention and support for family upheaval (death/accident/crime)
• 3+ programme will explore pre-school development, school transition, communication and numeracy and literacy (for parents and children), family upheaval and signposting and support structures.
• Post primary programme (post primary transition programme) will assist with parenting support, lifestyle education/choices, peer and group support, crisis intervention and emotional resilience. 

For more details please contact Caroline Devlin, Caroline@rapidni.com or Mary McNicholl, Mary@rapidni.com

Facebook: @CHILD.Project