Parent initiative gets award
A scheme which encourages parents who have received help a Black Country council to share their experiences has won an award.
Wolverhampton council's Parent Champion scheme recruits local men and women to talk to other parents about their experiences of children's social care services.
Wolverhampton council parent champion scheme manager Reeta Shemar was named Coordinator of the Year by the Family and Childcare Trust last month.
Representatives of the trust have subsequently visited Wolverhampton to meet the parent champions and see the scheme in action.
The volunteers work to build trust among families, and inform parents about the various opportunities available to them – such as the free childcare for three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds.
They also offer a befriending service, encourage new and prospective mums and dads to get help and support.
Councillor Val Gibson, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "The Parent Champions scheme is a wonderful initiative which enables mothers and fathers who have had first-hand experience of children's services in Wolverhampton to share their knowledge with others.
"They give a few hours a week to talk to other local parents about the services which are available to them, and because they are parents themselves, they are able to share their own experiences in a relatable, trusted and informal way.
"We have trained up 18 volunteers over the last year or so, and have just recruited a third cohort of nine who will soon be out and about sharing their knowledge with local families.
She added: "I am delighted that the efforts of our parent champions, and the fantastic support of the City of Wolverhampton Council, has been recognised on a national stage by the Family and Childcare Trust, particularly as the scheme has only been running in Wolverhampton for 16 months.”
