Parent Champions

The Parent Champions service helps connect parents to early years services and helps establish a network of information and support among parents and carers.

Parent Champions works in two ways:

• Supported by Parent Champions.

Parents can chat to a Parent Champion who can assist parents and carers to connect with relevant family services.

• Volunteer as a Parent Champion. 

Parent Champions receive training and can then take part in volunteering activities, gain valuable new skills and support other parents and families.

Training is offered to help develop your knowledge of LEAP’s aims and local early years services and to develop your communication skills. 

Parent Champions training is made up of six sessions of two hours per week and Parent Champions are asked to volunteer for a minimum of six months.

Volunteering activities include:

• Sharing information about early years’ services with other parents and carers in your networks.

• Supporting community events by giving out leaflets and telling people about other activities and services.

• Supporting parents in groups at children’s centres and community organisations by including them in the group and giving information, encouragement and support.

Parent Champions develop their knowledge and confidence through training and volunteering. You can gain transferable skills in communication, people skills, and organisation, which can be useful in applying for work.

As a result of this work, parents in the local community will get more information about free local early years’ services and feel supported by Parent Champions. As a parent, you will be supported to join in with activities where you can meet other parents, become part of a local network of support, and your children can play and learn.