By Liz Ayre | Executive Director
Geographical spread
Events have taken place in Italy, Poland, Spain (Catalonia), England, Scotland and Switzerland. Additional events are scheduled in the following weeks and months in the Netherlands and Belgium.
On Saturday June 17, COPE member Probacja Foundation hosted the first Game with Mum & Dad event to take place in Poland.
Children were invited to see their imprisoned mothers and fathers in an environment that looked radically different from the usual prison visiting facilities – on a football pitch! Families gathered on the grounds of a local school to play a game of football with their parents, where they also enjoyed a picnic with a barbeque and face painting organised by Probacja. Unlike the usual prison setting where visits take place – which can often be hostile and intimidating for children – the event gave families an opportunity for quality contact. With an atmosphere of joy and emotion, the afternoon provided great relief, happiness and fun for children and parents.
The first of five events organised by the Generalitat de Catalunya
(Department of Justice) took place on June 17, as part of Game with Mum & Dad.
Sixty-seven participants (parents in prison and their children) enjoyed an afternoon of play and sports within the grounds of the Quatre Camins prison, La Roca del Valles.
Simple in concept but substantial in impact, the event provided lasting memories to families separated by imprisonment. Game with Mum & Dad is not limited to football: a variety of sports were enjoyed by parents and their children, including tennis, softball and other traditional games. The purpose is to bring families together against the backdrop of play and sports – activities that foster meaningful moments of connection.
In total, that’s 6 countries, up from 1 country in 2022.
Coverage is expected to expand in 2024. Strong interest has been expressed in other countries in the EU (e.g., Germany, Sweden, Portugal, Romania) but also from farther afield in Europe and even Latin America.
Number of participants
The following are figures from games that have already taken place in 2023.
A conservatively estimated 4410 children have enjoyed Game with Mum & Dad (not including games in England and Switzerland). By early 2024, COPE will have a final number of how many children took part in Phase I.
Italy: 4250 children, 2,050 parents prison (across 79 prisons)
Catalonia: 92 children, 60 parents in prison
Scotland: 8 children, 12 parents in prison
Poland: 30 children, 20 parents in prison
Child participation
Children are involved in each event from the very start. They enthusiastically co- design the rules together with adult supervision.
Children have been providing feedback through the gamewithmum-dad.eu website : https://www.gamewithmum-dad.eu
Inclusion
It is estimated that over 30% of project participants to date are from a minority background.
Children of all ages were present, from infants a few months old to teenagers.
Gender equality
Some 50% or more of participating children are girls.
Game with Mum & Dad is a gender-sensitive programme, promoting the inclusion of girls, boys, mothers, fathers and caregivers of both genders.
Wellbeing
The most important factor to be evaluated is whether the event made children feel better and reinforced trust, love and bonding between children and their parent. The response has been overwhelmingly, if not unanimously, positive.
The children's voices tell the story about our work:
« These are great days because I feel like Daddy is home and I can stay with him a bit longer. »
6 year old, Italy
« The atmosphere was lovely, without awkwardness or shame. Although I would never have thought that I would have enjoyed such a day, I can say that now it is truly the case. »
Poland
« It was a genius idea to play a football game together with our parents. We can’t wait for another day like this one. »
Poland
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