We are thrilled to announce that Parents 1st Essex has been awarded the King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).
Previously known as the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services (QAVS), this award aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit local communities.
As one of the 262 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the UK who have received this prestigious award, we are delighted our volunteers have been recognised for their passion and dedication to supporting families in Essex. Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK.
For Parents 1st Essex, this recognises the commitment of our volunteers who work so hard to enable parents to keep well, feel supported and prepare for changes during pregnancy, birth and beyond. Their empathy and compassion help parents to give their babies the best possible start in life.
"I first got interested in volunteering after I had supported my daughter through a difficult birth. My daughter told me she couldn’t have done it without me, and it made me wonder whether I could be of any value to other women in that way. Every mother is different with different needs. Some women have experienced post-natal depression, or they may be without partners or have other children to look after, others may have suffered abuse in the past, or just not experienced good parenting themselves. Often, they will need to deal with some of that so they’re ready to offer their own children the best start.”
(Annette, volunteer)
Becoming a parent is a life-changing event. Our peer support volunteers reach out to often isolated and vulnerable parents in their communities. They are by their side through pregnancy, and often during labour and birth, and their support continues after the baby is born. They build trusting peer relationships and help parents cope with the inevitable changes that becoming a parent brings. Parents say they listen, provide reassurance, and help them to build their confidence.
“She was really supportive, and I really liked seeing her. I felt I could talk to her about anything. Everything we talked about related to me and the support I needed, and she never went off topic. It wasn’t just general information and advice; it was what related to me.”
Parent
“Really thankful to have had the support from Parents 1st through both of my pregnancies, neither have been easy! My peer supporter has been amazing and I’m super grateful to have the support. I wouldn’t have coped half as well if she wasn’t there to speak to about the problems pregnancy has thrown my way!”
Parent
Volunteers have always been at the heart of our organisation, and this award acknowledges and celebrates the much-needed support they bring to families in Essex. You can find out more about our volunteers and read their stories in ‘Volunteer Voices’.
Thank you to all our volunteers, both past and present, for the invaluable support you provide to parents – you really do make the difference of a lifetime. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Board of Trustees and all of our staff members, as the peer support we offer would also not be possible without their passion, and hard work.
“The Kings Award for Voluntary Service is both a testament to, and recognition of, the hard work and dedication that Parents 1st volunteers have delivered over a long period of time as they work to provide support for women and families during pregnancy and the postnatal period.” Ade Bamigboye, Trustee
"As a member of the Board of Parents 1st, I am so grateful for this award. The recognition of Parents 1st Essex's outstanding voluntary service serves as a reminder of the meaningful and valuable work we are doing collectively for our community. This achievement also underscores the significance of our organisation's commitment to excellence and community engagement as well as reinforcing the positive impact we have on the lives of those we serve." Jeanette Tulloch-Jordan, Trustee
“As a trustee of the board of Parents 1st, I believe this award is very well deserved and illustrates the real live impact that the Parents1st model has on ordinary parents. The approach is truly about parents supporting parents resulting in extraordinary results.” Jo Robins, Trustee
More information about the award can be found at: https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/