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Bringing people and organisations together to build a better Oxford.
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Parent Power

Parent Power brings parents together to support each other, enabling families to lead their best lives and achieve their goals.

Parent Power is an ambitious initiative that works directly with families who are keen to lead changes in their own lives – helping themselves, their children and their communities to thrive. Drawing on the experience of other projects in the UK and the US, Parent Power supports families to set their own goals, access opportunities in the community, and shape services around them.

Are you a parent in Blackbird Leys, Northfield Brook, Cowley or Temple Cowley?

Then our Parent Advocates (local parents) can support you with:

  • Practical and emotional peer support, such as helping sign your child up to the dentist, library or dance classes.

  • Connecting with your child’s school or local organisations, such as attending parents’ evening with you.

  • Learning and developing, such as through English classes or helping you apply for employment.

  • Connecting you to a network of parents so you can support each other.

Two women standing at a table in a garden with a sign saying 'parent help'
Two women outside Windale Primary School, standing at a table with their arms in the air
 

How can you get this support from the Parent Advocates?

You can find us for a cup of tea and a chat at:

  • Stay and Play Coffee morning at Oxford Hub, Windale Avenue, Tuesday 9:30am–12:30pm (drop in for all parents/carers, food bank available for attendees)

  • Parents’ support, Windale Avenue, Wednesday 9:00am - 11:00am (drop in for all parents/carers)

  • Greyfriars Secondary School, Cricket Road, Thursday 9:00am–11:00am (drop in for Greyfriars parents/carers)

  • The Oxford Academy, Sandy Lane West, Thursday 9:00am–11:00am (drop in for The Oxford Academy parents/carers)

  • SEN coffee morning, The Jungle @ Templars Square shopping centre, Thursday 7th, 21st March, 9:30am - 11:00am (open for all parents/carers)

  • English classes at Oxford Hub, Windale Avenue, Monday 10:30am - 12:00pm (intermediate); Wednesday 10am -11am (beginner) (open for all)

You can also reach out to our team via the contact form if you would like to request support, would like to know more about what our Parent Advocates do, or have any questions.

If you’d like to refer another parent for support, please let us know on the contact form.

 

Meet our Parent Power team!

 

Kerrisa

Kylie

Donna

How does Parent Power work?

When parents hit hard times, they are often supported by professionals such as teachers, social workers or health visitors. But what if those providing the support were actually their peers, other parents, who they can often better relate to? We believe that for parents, their peers – other parents like them – are the best people to support them to realise their aspirations and dreams for their children. Working in partnership with African Families in the UK, we have trained and employed a group of parent peer supporters. 

This is a role in which parents can learn new skills, grow their confidence and try new things. So far our parent peer supporters have been supporting families at the school food bank, accompanying other parents to meetings at school, building English language learning groups and helping families to access swimming lessons. Parent peer supporters also organise events and opportunities for people to connect, including a Netball Family Day to get families active and having fun together, and regular English language classes for parents who don’t have English as their first language.