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 Scheme of the Year Award winner is Lewisham.
Since 2018, Lewisham has trained 70 Parent Champions, and currently has 17 volunteers. Out of the 70 volunteers trained, five went on to become Lewisham Mayor’s apprentices, and moved to employment within the same council service they apprenticed in. Others have also taken on employment, using the transferrable skills developed in their time spent with the scheme.
By being present in Family Hubs, schools, libraries, and foodbanks, the team meets families where they are. Volunteers share information and signpost parents to childcare options in Lewisham, helping them understand what is available and how to access it. Alongside this, they support children’s early learning through reading activities and programmes, making a positive difference for both parents and children.
Lewisham offers 15 hours per week of funded childcare to children from low income households, and through the outreach and dedication of the Parent Champions in the borough, the percentage of two-year-olds now attending childcare settings has significantly increased.
One of the Lewisham team highlighted how the scheme “stands out because it is built on trust, kindness, and real community connection”. They said:
“Partnerships are very important to the scheme. They help us reach more families, build stronger community links, and make sure support is easy to access and useful.”
Leila Dantes-Michael, Parent Champions Co-ordinator at Lewisham, said:
“I feel incredibly proud for Parent Champion Lewisham to be recognised as Scheme of the Year 2026. This award reflects the hard work, dedication, and the commitment of our team. It has been truly inspiring to witness parents grow in confidence and see the positive difference our work makes for families we support, and to the volunteers themselves, who make this work possible.
“My heart is full. I’m truly grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey, and this recognition motivates us to continue growing our impact and strengthening our communities. Shout out to Lewisham Family Information Service and Coram Family and Childcare whose expertise and guidance have helped shape and strengthen the development of our scheme.”
Parent Champions National Network
The Parent Champions programme transforms the lives of families as well as the lives of Parent Champion volunteers.
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