The Parent Champion Group is a peer-to-peer supportive group that connects and empowers parents by giving them a space to have their voices heard!
Why we need the Parent Champion Group
The Parent Champion Group was born as a result of the focus groups we ran at the end of our KidsTime programme. Parents wanted to continue the connections they had made and have a safe space to talk about life challenges, but also to share the richness of life experiences they all held.
Connections are really important for our mental health, and are often an element of our project work. Often this is through creating spaces for peer support for the people we work with.
We also believe in the importance of lived experience, so wanted to develop a group where parents could have their voices heard, and shape and develop our research, policy and programme work.
What we want to achieve through the Parent Champion Group
We want to help parents continue the journey of good mental health by providing them with the space and time to share and talk through life's struggles along with life’s joys. We want to prevent the isolation that so often creeps in when life feels heavy and poor mental health sets in. We also share tips on everything from health supplements to great recipes to practical help they might have come across with things like housing or grants. Knowledge shared is priceless!
We also want their voices heard and for them to shape our work. Our policy, research and programmes teams will have access to this group to help inform areas of their work with the richness of authentic voices!
Delivery
Parent Champion Group currently takes place fortnightly at our London offices. Once a month we aim to be active outside, taking a walk at the South Bank or going rock climbing. Incorporating movement into this group is very important because often these parents face additional barriers to accessing these activities which we know is vital to good mental health.
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Programmes for families, children and young people
Parental mental health problems, if untreated, can affect the long-term well-being of both parents and children.
KidsTime Workshops
KidsTime Workshops provide a fun, safe and supportive environment where families affected by mental ill-health can come together to learn about mental health and support each other.