"I’ve never been the type to actively seek out projects, but when something clearly benefits others and just takes a bit of time – why not get involved?
So I first became a Lambeth Parent Champion after seeing how much my children and I benefited from our local children’s centres – once I got over the initial nerves of going that is!
A Parent Champion Co-ordinator approached me during a session I attended with my daughter, and when I heard that the role was about letting other parents know about local family services, it just felt natural. Children centres have really helped me and my children, so why not help others find out about them too.
Becoming a Parent Champion gave me a new sense of purpose alongside being the main caregiver to my 2 young children, has helped me become more proactive and has opened doors to things I wouldn’t have otherwise considered.
One small step led to another: I got involved in a local nature project, which inspired me to start gardening on my estate. That helped me meet others, and together we reformed the Tenants and Residents Association – building a stronger community for everyone. As a carpenter, I’ve always enjoyed working on projects where people care about what they’re creating, and this has been true of my volunteering too.
My Parent Champion volunteering has included signposting parents to services, supporting the early years and parenting team at the Lambeth Country Show, attending stay-and-play sessions for dads and male carers, and joining Barnardo’s Family Hub panel.
On the panel, I reviewed the family hub website and shared feedback with parents from across the UK. The site is a really helpful, non-judgemental resource for families, but the best part has been learning from the real-life experiences of other parents. It’s broadened my understanding in so many ways.
The Parent Champion training was useful and insightful, and helped me build my listening and communication skills and have respectful and considerate conversations. I’ve gone into each role not knowing what I’d get out of it, but every experience has been rewarding.
I hope I’ve helped others – and I think it’s been good for my kids to see me getting involved in our local community. Hopefully, it will encourage them to get involved in things over time too."