What is the Connecting with Needs Project?
“This initiative brings Connecting with Needs to schools, families, youth organizations and wider community groups Our workshops and training programs provide practical tools to navigate emotions, resolve conflicts, and foster empathy-driven communication.”
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists highlights that 1 in 4 young people experience difficulties with communication, impacting their relationships and education.
Family conflicts are one of the
most common reasons for referrals to early help services in the UK.
Many neurodiverse individuals, including those with autism, benefit significantly from structured emotional literacy and communication support, as outlined in recent SEND government guidance.
LGBTQ+ young people are more likely to experience mental health challenges and report that they often don’t feel safe or able to speak openly in school settings (Stonewall). Helping them name their feelings and needs can be a powerful tool for creating safer spaces and authentic self-expression.
✅ 36+ Child Mentors attended workshops and with 100% positive feedback ✅ 75+ Teachers who provided feedback after attending the workshops delivered in schools was 100% positive ✅ Teachers, mentors and parents who have participated, report improved communication and conflict descalation skills, resulting in connection ✅ Families and educators experience a shift towards more understanding and trust
Our impact so far
How Funding Helps
Your funding supports direct delivery, facilitator time, planning, evaluation, and the creation of high-quality materials. We understand that many funders prefer to offer part-funding, and we are happy to match that with our own efforts to raise the remainder. That said, if you’re in a position to fully fund a project, we would be absolutely thrilled to work with you to make that happen.
Connection Academy
Ambassador Programme
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What it is: An 8-week course (1 day/week) for up to ten teachers to deeply understand and embody Connecting with Needs, so they can model and spread it throughout their schools.
Connection Community
The Connection Community is open to everyone, with a special focus on making sure that people who might usually find it hard to access this kind of support—whether due to money, mental health challenges, disability, or feeling isolated—can still take part. We believe everyone deserves a chance to grow, connect, and feel a sense of belonging, and we're committed to creating welcoming spaces that reflect that. While some of our work is specially supported to include those who’ve been overlooked, all are welcome here.
Empowering Parents - Where empowered parenting meets peaceful relationships.
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What it is: An 8-week course (1 day/week) designed for up to ten parents who are struggling with communication, stress, and disconnection in the family home.
Men in Presence – Emotional Connectivity & Masculine Exploration
“Men in Presence” is a 12-week group programme for men (single, fathers, ‘forgotten’ men) centred on mindfulness, connecting with needs, and nature-based activities. It empowers participants to explore and expand their sense of masculinity, develop emotional literacy, and strengthen their capacity to connect with children, partners, and their wider community.
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What it is: An 8-week course (1/2 a day/week) designed for up to twelve men aged 18+, including single dads, non-custodial fathers, singleton men, and those isolated or overlooked.
Connection Pathways
The Family
Compass -
Reorienting family life through empathy, presence, and purpose.
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What we are offering is a hands-on family support programme offered by Growth CIC, working with parents and children from home-educating backgrounds, families in deprivation, and those facing conflict, disconnection, or emotional breakdown. We support households where school attendance has collapsed, where communication feels impossible, or where children and parents are struggling to understand each other. Using our “Connecting with Needs” model based in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), we help families move from blame and shutdown into deeper understanding, emotional fluency, and practical steps towards connection. Delivered through one-to-one mentoring, outdoor story-based sessions, and parent empowerment workshops, the project creates safe, nonjudgmental space for families to rebuild trust and move forward together.
Connection Bitesize
Focused training for busy lives
Connection Bitesize offers one- or two-day versions of our in-depth 8-week programmes, giving you a concentrated hit of insight, practice, and transformation. These sessions are perfect for schools, organizations, or families looking to explore key areas of the Connecting with Needs approach in a way that fits their schedule.
Whether you're new to the work or want a refresher on a specific theme, Bitesize sessions create space for practical learning, emotional awareness, and real-life application — all grounded in empathy, connection, and human understanding.
Connection Bespoke
Connection
Bespoke –
Tailored Workshops & Support
We know that every school, family, and community is unique — that’s why we offer Connection Bespoke, a flexible approach to bring Connecting with Needs to your setting in a way that fits you.
Whether you’re looking for a one-off workshop, a series of sessions, or something completely custom, we’ll work with you to co-create a plan that meets your specific goals, challenges, and community dynamics.
We tailor support for:
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Schools wanting a unique student or staff workshop
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Families seeking customised coaching or conflict support
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Organisations supporting neurodiverse or vulnerable young people
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Teams looking to build emotional literacy and communication skills
Pricing and details are arranged through conversation, depending on the size, setting, and depth of support you’re after. We’d love to hear about your needs and explore how we can collaborate.
Let’s design something that fits.