The FAST Programme is supported by Save the Children and hosted by the GSAP. The programme aims to:

• Supporting local families.
• Help children succeed in school.
• Increase local social capital.
• Sustain stronger and healthier communities.
• Build parental & school relationships.
• Promote emotional intelligence and family cohesion.

FAST establishes early partnerships between families, schools and communities this creates a supportive environment for children to reach their full potential.

Following the 8-week cycle of FAST, a group called FASTWORKS is established. This consists of parents who successfully completed and graduated from the FAST programme. FAST Works, builds the social capital at local level and reduces isolation within the community. FAST Works builds on the legacy of the FAST Programme. It promotes ownership, community spirit and acts as a support network among local families.

To date the FAST Programme has been delivered in:

• St Paul’s Primary and Nursery School;
• Steelstown Primary School;
• St Therese Primary School;
• Greenhaw Primary School;
• St Johns Primary School;
• Oakgrove Primary School and
• Glendermott Primary School

Table 1: Breakdown of FAST Participants for 2015/16 

Participating School	No. of Families	No. of Children	No. of Parents
St. Paul’s PS	21	38	26
St John`s Ps	13	14	13
Oakgrove Ps	13	32	16
Glendermott PS	8	18	8
Total	55	102	63

Since April 2015 to March 2016 we have trained an additional 50 local individuals as FAST Practitioners. 

Staff Contact	Position	Telephone	Email
Emmett Lynch	Project Co-ordinator 'Family and Schools Together'	028 71358787	[email protected]

For further information on the evidence based programme you can go to https://www.familiesandschools.org/why-fast-works/research-projects/

Useful Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVj3FXimv_U