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.This project aims to support parent / infant relationships in early childhood (0-3 years), within the refugee and asylum seeking population of South London. It will also help families with no recourse to public funds who can't access other support services.

Specialist therapeutic help will improve wellbeing and parenting for displaced parents, potentially suffering from post-natal depression, post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety in a welcoming environment that helps foster attachment and development in their children. This community based service 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.

This Therapeutic Group is facilitated by psychotherapists specialising in early years and child development and a friendly, supportive environment where members can meet others with similar backgrounds, play and socialise. Parents and children can start to build confidence, form bonds, strengthen community connections, reduce isolation and improve mental health.

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 and a gazebo to provide a covered play space. Funds will also help us provide refreshments and travel fares for families.