Our Exciting Transition to a Charity: A message from our Chair of Trustees
Eighteen months ago, Proud 2 b Parents was facing the real possibility of closure due to a lack of funding. This year, we celebrated a huge milestone: transitioning from a Community Interest Company (CIC) to a registered charity. Our Chair of Trustees, Catherine Treagus-Mullan, shares how this shift is not just about survival - it’s about securing our future and ensuring we can continue supporting LGBTQ+ parents, carers, and their children for years to come.
Why Proud 2 b Parents Matters
LGBTQ+ families often struggle to find spaces where they feel truly seen, understood, and supported. Proud 2 b Parents has been that space for so many families. Through our family sessions, youth group, training provision, advocating for more visibility, and driving change, we help LGBTQ+ families not just exist, but thrive.
I know first-hand how vital this organisation is. I first attended a session 11 years ago when my twins were just eight weeks old. I turned up looking (and feeling) completely shell-shocked by the reality of being a new parent. But I found a community - a place where my family was not just accepted, but celebrated. That support made a lasting impact on me, and it’s why I’m so passionate about ensuring others get the same opportunity.
Catherine (right) and her sons in the 2024 Manchester Pride Parade.
She first came to Proud 2 b Parents meet-up when her twins were 8 weeks old.
The Power of Becoming a Charity
Becoming a registered charity strengthens our foundations. It opens up new funding opportunities and partnerships, allowing us to expand our work and support even more families. It also reinforces our long-term mission—showing the world that LGBTQ+ families deserve structured, sustainable support.
Why I Love Being Chair of Trustees
Leading an organisation that has given me so much is both an honour and a responsibility. I work alongside an incredible team to shape our strategy, advocate for LGBTQ+ families, and ensure our services continue to make an impact. Every time I see a new parent walk into a session - perhaps looking as overwhelmed as I once did - I’m reminded of why this work is so important.
Looking Ahead
We had an amazing start to 2025, and I hope we can continue to build on this and make it our best year yet! I want to see us reaching more families, expanding our youth work, increasing training for professionals, and securing long-term funding to make sure Proud 2 b Parents is here for future generations. Most of all, I hope we continue to be the warm, welcoming, and supportive community that has meant so much to so many - including me.
To everyone who has been part of this journey - thank you. Whether you’re a family who has attended a session, a volunteer, a funder, or an ally, you are part of this success. Here’s to the future of Proud 2 b Parents - now a charity, always a community.
Written by Catherine Treagus-Mullan