Parents 1st was born out of a national research study (2005-2007) by our founder, Celia Suppiah. The research was funded by the Health Foundation.
Ten community parent programmes across England, Wales and Scotland participated in the study. This identified an urgent need for a national umbrella organisation to further develop and support 'Community Parent' volunteering initiatives of the highest quality.
Read our story and find out how Parents 1st has evolved over the years...
"Parents 1st is all about unleashing the potential of parents to help other parents.”
Carrie Deacon, Head of Social Action, NESTA
Since 2008 we have:
- Developed an innovative 'Pregnancy Pal and Birth Buddy' programme in South and North Essex
- Supported over 1000 expectant and new parents each year
- Established a replicable affiliate peer-support programme
- Won the UnLtd Big Venture Challenge (2013)
- Provided workshops, resources and evaluation services to organisations across England
- Delivered Level 3 qualifications to peer supporters
- Carried out research and continuous evaluation
- Authored the Volunteering Evidence Review in partnership with IVAR
- Published an Implementation Framework to guide the five 'A Better Start' sites across England
- Developed a Pan Essex peer support service which is commissioned by EPUT to serve the 5 maternity hubs in Essex
- Won the Kings Award for Voluntary Service!
- Launched the first Lullaby Groups in Essex - a collaborative creative health project between Live Music Now, B3 and Parents 1st UK.