We are a team of parent-infant specialist psychoanalysts and psychotherapists (Fatima Martinez del Solar, Merryn Jones, Teresa Sarmiento and Sophie Dunn). Following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we need to raise funds for a parent and child Psychoanalytic playgroup for asylum seeking and refugee families, who are most in need. This project aims to support the parent/ child relationships in early childhood (0-3 years), within the refugee and asylum seeking population of South London. It will also support families with no recourse to public funds who struggle to access other services.

Specialist therapeutic help will support wellbeing and parenting in asylum seeking and refugee parents, potentially suffering from post-natal depression, post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, etc, in an environment that helps foster attachment and development in their children. It aims to improve the life conditions of a population identified as very high need in terms of mental and physical health. For instance, parents with adverse experiences face huge additional struggles with parenting young children, which in turn can have a lasting impact on the child’s own development.

In 1938, Anna Freud arrived in the UK as an "Enemy Alien" and refugee. With the outbreak of war she opened three residential nurseries for children who were homeless, refugees or liberated from concentration camps. Most of the staff who worked alongside her were also fellow exiles or refugees. So many years later we are trying to continue her legacy. Our approach is based on a trusted and researched model developed by Anna Freud, which aims to prevent longer term difficulties by early intervention. The model aims to build confidence, form group bonds, build up community strengths, break isolation and improve mental health by enhancing the understanding of the emotional needs of young children and parents in the interactions occurring within the group space. The Windsor Walk therapeutic playgroup provides a playful, friendly space where asylum seeking/ refugee parents and babies/toddlers can play and socialise, facilitated by psychotherapists specialising in early years and child development.

With the money raised we will pay staff, get a large garden playroom (equivalent to Anna Freud's original one), equipment for outdoor play, including bikes, sand pits and other toys, as well as a gazebo to provide a covered space. We also need to cover the cost of refreshments and travel fares for families.