WHY A PARENT HOUSE?

“It became clear that some of our parents were facing so many challenges that asking them to do more to support their children’s education was adding another layer of stress to their lives. What we needed to do was to help parents to reduce their problems and give them a space for themselves.”

Jane, Former Headteacher

The Need

There are organisations to help older people, the vulnerable, children, babies, single parents but very little specifically for people who are ‘just’ parents.

Being a parent is not easy and is not necessarily intuitive. People may have had poor experiences in their own childhood and feel they want to do things differently, or to be facing loneliness or stress. But where do they go to for support and sensitive advice?

The Context

The Parent House is situated in the London borough of Islington, well documented for its levels of disadvantage:*

  • Social rented housing accounts for 42% of all homes (London average 24.1%)

  • 18,000 residents of working age have no qualifications at all

  • 29% of households with dependent children are workless - the highest proportion in London

  • There are 8863 lone parents with dependent children in Islington.

*(Data from London Borough of Islington Annual Report 2019)

The Opportunity

A small house, formerly for the school premises manager at Winton primary school, became vacant and the school saw an opportunity to create a space for parents.

Governors were supportive and a charity was set up.

Islington Council was approached and agreed to lease the building on a peppercorn rent.

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The Planning

A charity was formed, Hans Haenlein, architect, kindly gave his services pro bono and an approach to The Big Lottery Fund was successful. Parents were consulted about what should go into the house and it was agreed to retain the family feeling with a kitchen and sitting area, with the upstairs rooms converted to IT and training rooms. The existing living room leading onto the garden would be used for a creche.

The Launch

The Parent House was opened with the guest appearance of actor Sanjiv Baskar and attended by many interested people from Islington and elsewhere.

Since then, the Parent House has celebrated its birthday every summer with a party in the garden and food cooked and provided by the parents.

The Impact

From its beginning in 2000, the Parent House has grown to serve the needs of parents across the borough and beyond.

It has improved people’s wellbeing, changed lives in many ways and helped parents into further training, voluntary work and jobs.

It is recognised locally and nationally and achieved the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in 2017.

“In a city of so many closed doors it’s nice to know that ours is always open.”