Calling all ‘parent champions’ in York

City of York Council is looking for volunteer Parent Champions to help other parents and families in York, as part of the Raise York project.

Raise York is the name for the city’s new network of Family Hubs, a project funded by the Department for Education to bring together organisations supporting children, young people and families in a ‘one stop shop’.

A network of people, places and online support from pregnancy through to adulthood (age 19 years, or 25 years for people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), children, young people and families can expect a warm welcome in their local family hubs and to be guided to the right support for them.

There are lots of ways volunteer Parent Champions can use their experience and local knowledge to help other parents, including:

• providing a Warm Welcome in one of our local Family Hubs,
• helping out with arts and crafts sessions,
• raising confidence and self-esteem in parents, for example by helping a parent/carer to visit a local parent and toddler group,
• encouraging parents to access services,
• helping shape York’s family services.

Parent Champions will also be able to signpost parents to the most appropriate organisations for further help and more detailed information about childcare and other local services.

Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

“Parenting Champions are core to Raise York. We know that parents have a huge amount of experience and knowledge that can really help other families in their local community, supporting our core commitments to reduce inequality and support the health and wellbeing of children and adults.

“I hope that parents of all ages and from all backgrounds will get involved in the scheme, helping to support other families across the city.”

The Parent Champion role is flexible and can fit round school times and holidays. Full training and ongoing support will be provided by our Family Navigators.

Email alison.cammiss@york.gov.uk or call 07901813436 for more information.