Family Foundations

Pssst parents to be… Your next big adventure requires a strong team. Family Foundations is team building with a difference. Join our Family Foundations parenting group to help build a strong family unit whilst meeting other expectant parents.

It’s first-come first-served so register your interest below now!

Free parent-to-be course for couples

Family Foundations focuses on the couple (and parental) relationship and communication during the journey into parenthood. There are 4 group sessions before the birth and 3 afterwards.

Early findings show that Family Foundations helps new parents feel more confident, work better together as a team, and support each other emotionally, with especially encouraging signs for dads.

How it works

Small group sessions are led by expert facilitators from the Healthy Child Service. Each week they will introduce you to different topics to discuss, and communication strategies to try out with your partner. The course is a great opportunity to meet and connect with other expectant parents in your local area.

Family Foundations will help you

prepare yourself, and your relationship for the birth of your baby
manage stress and handle difficult situations parenthood can bring
improve communication with your partner and resolve conflict
learn new skills and techniques to strengthen your relationship
understand the important role each parent plays in their child’s life

Thoughts from the latest group

Daniel, an expectant dad, said:

Our Midwife suggested that we could apply for the Family Foundations course, and I’m really glad we did. The course, the facilitators, and the other couples have been amazing! I’ve learned so much and feel much better prepared for my new life as a parent. I hope many more future parents get the chance to say the same!

“I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect from the course and was a little nervous going into it as an expectant dad, but it was a very positive and helpful course and it did a lot to reassure me about what to expect from being a new parent."

“It’s given us some really helpful tools and structures for having some potentially difficult conversation in a constructive and useful way.”

Family Foundations parenting group

If you and your partner live in York and are expecting your first baby together, you're invited to join!

who should attend: couples expecting their first baby together, including same-sex couples - even if you have children from previous relationships
who is eligible: residents of York
venue: Gateway Centre, Acomb
time: 5.30pm to 8.00pm

Dates: There are 4 sessions to attend before your baby is born. The next groups for antenatal sessions are:

Wednesday 26 November 2025
Wednesday 3 December 2025
Wednesday 10 December 2025
Wednesday 17 December 2025

You'll need to commit to attending all 4 antenatal sessions and 3 postnatal sessions which will take place at least 3 months after your baby is born. If you’d like to sign-up to the course, register by completing the form below. A member of the Family Foundation’s team will be in touch with you once they have reviewed your form. If you’d like to know more before registering, please contact the Healthy Child Service on telephone: 01904 555 475 or email: [email protected] and ask for a member of the Family Foundation’s team.

Register for parenting sessions

The Fatherhood Institute

To find out more about what is included in the course, visit: Family Foundations UK, from the Fatherhood Institute.