The annual Parent Champions Awards recognise and celebrate the work of Coram Family and Childcare’s Parent Champion volunteers and co-ordinators, who support parents in their communities to access local family services. Over 400 people currently volunteer as Parent Champions nationally, reaching more than 100,000 families in the last year.
The Parent Champions Coordinator of the Year winner is Jane McGrath from Camden.
Over the past year, Jane has successfully delivered the Parent Champions programme across three locations, maintaining strong engagement, and consistent progression for volunteers throughout. She designs and facilitates welcoming, inclusive spaces where parents feel able to participate at their own pace, often overcoming significant personal challenges in the process.
One Parent Champion volunteer said:
“I deeply admire Jane’s dedication to uplifting others and her remarkable ability to inspire everyone around her. She is truly one of the most amazing people I have ever met, and her support continues to make a meaningful difference in my life. I look up to Jane with great respect and appreciation for her tireless commitment and the positive impact she makes in so many lives.”
Jane shared:
“I have worked as a Parent Champion Coordinator in Camden since 2023, and I was also there at the very beginning when the scheme launched in 2018, helping to get the programme running and thinking about what we wanted to achieve. Back then, I could never have imagined just how much this programme would grow—or the number of families it would go on to support.
“Being part of this journey has been truly rewarding and enriching for me, both professionally and personally. It’s been incredibly moving to see friendships form, confidence grow, and lives change right in front of you. What stands out most are the simple but powerful moments—when a family meets a volunteer who listens, understands, and offers support without judgement. Those connections can make such a lasting difference.
“Watching our volunteers grow has been inspiring, seeing them gain skills, build confidence, and find a real sense of belonging in their communities. For many, it’s the start of something new—opening doors, creating opportunities, and building pride in what they can achieve. Our volunteers truly are inspirational, and it’s a privilege to see the impact they make every single day.
“To have been nominated, and to have won this award, has come as a complete surprise – and I feel truly humbled to have received it.”
Parent Champions National Network
The Parent Champions programme transforms the lives of families as well as the lives of Parent Champion volunteers.
Find out more