A Year in Review (2023)

As we bid farewell to 2023, it's time to reflect on the remarkable journey of Proud 2 b Parents, a journey shaped by resilience and community. This year, we achieved significant milestones, forged new partnerships, and embraced exciting developments, all while staying true to our core mission: listening to the needs of our community and creating supportive services for all LGBT+ families .

Achievements

Data-Driven Insights: We have used new monitoring tools to empowered us with invaluable insights into our community. Through data collection and analysis, we've gained a understanding of the diverse needs, challenges, and aspirations of the families we serve.

Expanded Our Range of Events: We have created in a new monthly event, reaching more families across more diverse backgrounds. These groups have become vital spaces for sharing experiences, reducing isolation, and building peer support.

Community Engagement: The power of community engagement shone brightly this year. With over 700 individuals registered with us, Proud 2 b Parents experienced a surge in community participation. This not only signifies the worth in our mission but also amplifies our collective voice, advocating for inclusivity and understanding.

Digital Inclusivity: Proud 2 b Parents continued its offer of social media groups, webinars, and parent support sessions, ensuring accessibility for all community members regardless of their needs or geographical location. We have also successfully trialed new What’s App groups, which we will expand in 2024.

Fundraising: This has been the lifeblood of Proud 2 b Parents, propelling us toward meaningful change and sustainability . In 2023, we continued with our community fundraising and trialed a new step challenge; March with Pride. Through strategic partnerships and valuable affiliations, we also secured life-changing funding for the next 3 years. This influx of support allowed us to extend our reach and offer support services to more of our families.

Matt Taylor-Roberts, Managing Director, said: “Our community’s involvement in fundraising has kept the organisation going during times when funding has been very difficult to secure. Thank you for standing with us and enabling us to keep making a real difference in the lives of many.”

New Collaborations

In 2023, Proud 2 b Parents embarked on exciting new partnerships, strengthening our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and expanding our reach.

Healthcare Collaborations: Teaming up with Maternity Voice Partnerships and NHS focus groups across Greater Manchester ensured we raised awareness and echoed the voices of the community where needed, these opportunities are our way forward to create long lasting change across the sector.

Pride 365: We proudly joined forces with Pride 365 and Matt, Managing Director of Proud 2 b Parents, has become a dedicated champion of the organisation. Together, we support the certification of inspiring organisations both in the UK and globally, spreading the message of inclusivity and acceptance.

Department of Health and Education Adoption Reference Group: Establishing a vital connection with this group, we contributed our expertise and insights, actively shaping policies and initiatives related to adoption within the LGBTQ+ community.

LGBT Representative for Adoption Voice Regional Adoption Agency: Through this partnership, we ensured that the voices and needs of LGBTQ+ families were not just heard but actively represented, fostering a more inclusive process and service for families through adoption.

Collaboration with Family Hubs : Proud 2 b Parents worked closely with family hubs across Greater Manchester, advocating for the representation and inclusion of all families. By bridging gaps and fostering understanding, we strived to make these spaces truly welcoming for everyone.

Gratitude to Civil Consulting: We extend our thanks to Civil Consulting, steadfast supporters of our funding endeavors. Their invaluable assistance encompassed training on impact measurement, corporate engagement, and data platforms, empowering us to quantify our influence and enhance our outreach.

These partnerships have been pivotal in our journey, enabling us to create meaningful change and advocate for a world where every family is embraced and celebrated. Together, we continue to break barriers and build bridges.
Thank you for standing by us as we pave the way toward a more inclusive tomorrow.

Developments and Community Feedback

Proud 2 b Parents continued its tradition of actively listening to the community it serves. Annual consultations and targeted feedback sessions helped identify areas of improvement. Our responses to this feedback were communicated in person and through social media, leading to more tailored and effective support initiatives.

Key changes from the 2022 Annual Consultation:

• “Suggested amount of voluntary contributions for events - but keep it free for those who need it”.
  A great idea! We created some QR codes and bring them to every event. Where possible we place on tables around the venues we meet in to make it quick and easy to donate to Proud 2 b Parents.
  
  

• “We feel dads are the minority so we’d like events for dads or more supportive stuff for us. Maybe try to engage more with trans parents?”
  Our Community Engagement Worker set up new monthly sessions specifically to bring our more marginalised families together. We have also trialed new What’s App groups to create digital spaces where marginalised groups can meet and socialise. These have been really well received.
  
  

• “Please can you change the colour of your newsletters? The text links are in green and they are on a green background. It can be quite hard to read at times.”
  In January 2023 we changed the colour scheme of our newsletter, and we always welcome feedback around our communications!
  
  

• “More variety to the location of the monthly meet ups would be great. Soft play can be a bit loud and intense!”
  We scheduled in a range of different meet-ups for our Monthly Get-together this year, from parks to walks and even a visit to the ‘Food, Poo and You’ exhibition at MOSI!

Looking Ahead to 2024

As we step into 2024, Proud 2 b Parents remains committed to its vision of creating a world where every family, regardless of its composition, is embraced and supported. With new partnerships on the horizon, innovative programs in development, and an unwavering dedication to inclusivity, Proud 2 b Parents is poised for another year of transformative impact.

In the heart of our successes lies the collective spirit of our community.
Together, we are not just an organisation; we are a family.

Thank you for being an integral part of our Proud 2 b Parents family!