We're thrilled to share the wonderful news that our founder, Celia Suppiah, has been awarded an MBE in the 2025 King’s Honours List for services to families during pregnancy to early childhood!
This well-deserved recognition reflects her dedication to championing parent-to-parent support to help give every baby the best possible start in life.
Humble as ever, Celia had the following to say after hearing the news:
“I do feel honoured to receive this award. It is not only a lovely surprise personally, but also an honour for Parents 1st and their amazing and committed staff and volunteers. These are people who have worked relentlessly to make the perinatal peer support vision a reality.
When I look back on my journey with Parents 1st, from 2008 to 2024, what stands out the most for me is the incredible life experiences, talents and insights of the parents and peer supporters I have had the privilege to work with. They taught me the unique and profound value of peer support when it is delivered well, with care and sensitivity, and by the right person.
Being a parent is such an important and life-changing role. Yet, when I worked as a health visitor in the NHS, I was shocked about the level of parents’ fears of being judged by professionals. This is where peer support comes into its own. Having someone informal and trustworthy, who is by your side and has ‘been there’ can truly make the difference of a lifetime. A peer supporter (carefully recruited, properly supervised and trained) offers hope, reassurance, and builds confidence through the journey of pregnancy, birth and beyond. This, in turn, helps to give babies the best possible start in life.
What also stands out to me is the invaluable interface that can be created between well-developed, quality peer support initiatives and perinatal services. Increasingly, there are amazing examples of partnership working that reflects, and respects, complementary but different roles. I am indebted to Basildon Hospital Maternity staff, NHS and local authority commissioners, and EPUT specialist perinatal mental health services for having the vision to work with Parents 1st and make this happen. This invaluable work and learning is ongoing. And long may it continue.”
Celia Suppiah (Founder of Parents 1st UK)
Celia retired as CEO for Parents 1st UK in August 2024, but remains a passionate advocate of the value of peer support in perinatal care, both in supporting parents and improving outcomes for babies.
Celia’s integrity, compassion, and long-standing commitment to social impact through peer-led support have been a guiding light for Parents 1st UK since 2008 and has, without doubt, changed the lives of 1000s of parents.
Whilst we were extremely fortunate after Celia’s retirement to find strong leadership in Paula Beare, our current CEO, the staff and volunteers of Parents 1st UK will remain forever grateful to Celia and her vision to improve perinatal care.