Parents 1st UK is an award-winning, leading charity that focuses entirely on enabling quality perinatal peer support to flourish across the UK. The evidence is clear - when implemented effectively, peer support makes a unique and important contribution to improving the emotional health and wellbeing of parents and babies.
We have extensive experience of delivering quality perinatal peer support. We have worked locally across Essex since 2008, delivering 1:1 and group peer support, alongside offering complementary groups and workshops in fitness, first aid and more! In 2023, our Essex flagship programme was awarded the King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS), recognising 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. .
We also support commissioning organisations (public and voluntary sector) across the UK with thinking about practicalities and planning of perinatal peer support, including design, implementation, and evaluation.
At Parents 1st UK, we know that pregnancy and becoming a parent can feel overwhelming. Our peer supporters reach out to often isolated and vulnerable parents in their communities, helping them to feel heard, connected and confident. 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.
“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
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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