Annual Consultation Feedback from 2023

Every summer we hold an annual consultation to ask families for their feedback about Proud 2 b Parents and the services we offer. Every January, we reply to let families know what we’ve done in response to their suggestions, and what’s planned for the future.

Forging Connections

1, You said: Arrange the spaces such that it encourage discussion rather than small groups with backs to one another.

Our response: We move tables and rearrange furniture at the places we meet where possible to encourage discussion. We’ve also brought in name labels to help people get to know each other. Are we missing anything? If so, please let us know by emailing info@proud2bparents.co.uk or messaging us on social media.

2, You said: I don't know if there's a way to help people forge friendships at first, we still haven't made any friends that we keep in touch with outside of p2bp events.

We have brought in name labels for our events to help families get to know each other better and get chatting. Our Community Engagement Worker also introduces parents and carers to each other at events. In 2023, we created What’s App groups for families to be able to chat, share information and advice, and arrange their own meet-ups with each other outside of Proud 2 b Parents events. These have worked really well so we will be expanding and promoting them in 2024!

Funding

3, You said: To make P2B more sustainable longer term we think it might make sense for events to be subsidised, not free. However, there should always be free places available for those who really need it.

We have heard from the community that they would like a subscription or membership based model to ensure the continuation of the organisation. The board of directors are looking into how best we cater for everyone’s needs and become more sustainable. It is top of our priorities for 2024. For the time being, we are listing a “suggested optional donation” on our social media graphics to promote this option as a way for families to support Proud 2 b Parents.

4, You said: That funding is secured for all our future needs.

We have recently been successful in a number of grants which means we have secured funding for the next three years, which is an amazing accomplishment for the community. Thank you so much for all your support! We are therefore now looking at ways to ensure our sustainability for the future, and what we can do now for post-2026. This includes things like developing our events and community fundraising.

Infrastructure

5, You said: I would really like the booking system to be improved by being able to book via a system rather than email.

Your convenience matters! We're working on a new booking system for 2024/2025 which will allow you to book directly. Please bear with us while we make the transition.

Events

6, You said: Being with other families like ours. Whilst our son is super proud and aware not everyone has two mummies, as a family we don't have any other family friends with the same set up so its really important to engage with Proud 2b Parents.

We are really pleased to hear how important Proud 2 b Parents is to you and your family, and we feel the same. We know many of our families and their children don’t see any representation outside of our meet-ups so it’s crucial that we continue to offer these opportunities for our families both now and in the future.

Let's continue creating a space where every family feels seen and proud! 🏳️‍🌈❤️


7, You said: More meet ups, trips away so families can hang out for longer, a fair!

We would love to organise a trip away and have been asked it for a number of years now. We hope that now we have more resources and funding in 2024, we can move out of survival mode and begin to develop more opportunities to hang out for longer. (Shhhhhhh - Keep an eye out for a potential summer camping trip though!)

8, You said: More of the same great activities and events which are already being organised so regularly.

We love that you like our activities and events and we will definitely look to do more in 2024. We love seeing our community come together and the more this can happen, the better!

9, You said: More activities and get together for 6-8+ children.

We know each child and family have different needs and so it can sometimes feel that we aren't catering for a certain age child. Our Monthly Get-Togethers have a number of 6- 8 year olds attending regularly, as well as the school holiday activities. Don’t forget that some of our Monthly-Get-Together sessions are at places like Heaton Park or a walk in the countryside - so it’s not all at soft play!

However, if you feel we are missing opportunities or ideas for activities please let us know. We are always wanting to try new things.

10, You said: Continue to make family pride bigger & better

We love collaborating with MCR Pride to ensure that Family Pride MCR is bigger and better each year. It’s a great event for our community and we have seen it grow over the last few years. We cant wait to start planning with MCR Pride for 2024 event!

11, You said: Meet ups accessible by public transport as I don’t drive.

In 2023, all but one of our events was accessible by public transport and our Community Engagement Worker also travels to every meet-up by public transport.

We also try to hold many of our events in or around Manchester city centre to make it easier for people to reach our events by public transport. However we know the size of the city, the traffic, and the connections between tram and bus routes can make traveling across Manchester hard when you don’t drive.

From 2024 we will add in public transport information into our newsletters to help people reach our events.

12, You said: Continued sessions at calm connections, another all day festival, perhaps a family disco!

We love our current venues that we use and have built really good relationships over the last few years, we therefore will be keeping our activities at them for as long as possible. Sometimes things might change due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the building works in Stretford Mall.

We think your family disco is a great idea and will look to see how we can plan this into our events moving forward!