Through advice and guidance on accessing higher education, and developing skills in community organising, Parent Power empowers parents and carers to make change in their children’s future.
The Parent Power model, originally created by King’s College London and Citizens UK, brings together local parents and carers and facilitates one-to-one and group meetings led by a local Community Organiser.
Since its formation in 2017 by King’s and Citizens UK, South London and Oldham Parent Power chapters have collectively engaged over 350 parents/carers. You can see the impact of Oldham Parent Power here.
The parents themselves decide what activities will benefit their communities and children; Parent Power chapters across the UK have arranged tailored university trips, received training on student finances and secured bursary places at summer schools.
You can hear how Cardiff Parent Power has empowered parents in the community to make change for their young person’s higher education journey, and beyond, here.
To find out more about the Parent Power model and hear from a Community Organiser, read our brochure here.
“I feel like imposter syndrome has been zapped today, as a resident of Cardiff who's never been brave enough to step foot in the university. It was great to speak to current and former students and their experiences and ask them questions.”
The Brilliant Club has established seven Parent Power chapters: Fenland, Cardiff, Knowsley, East Oxford, East London, Mansfield and Peterborough – all supported by local partners. We have also taken on oversight of Oldham Parent Power.
Across these chapters we currently work with 30 schools, 16 partners and around 340 parents, who are focussed on making a difference not only in their children’s life but in their communities. Check out what our some of Parent Power chapters have been up to recently:
Cardiff: Parents made five recommendations to Cardiff University to improve the transparency of contextual offers in their prospectuses, which have all been accepted.
East London: Parents have been successful in securing mentoring provision for young people in East London, provided by Queen Mary, University of London, alongside building community in the local area.
East Oxford: Parents have recently secured a bespoke open day at Trinity College, University of Oxford, and are working on a campaign to broaden access to extra-curricular activities for their children.
Knowsley: Parents have secured a trip to the Liverpool John Moores University Open Day and have spoken at a panel event at the Labour Party Conference, held in Knowsley. They are also in the early stages of developing campaigns on access to university spaces, English as an Additional Language provision and Post-16 provision in the borough.
Fenland: Fenland parents have met with key decision makers to improve active travel routes across the local area, improving connectivity to the opportunities that exist in nearby cities such as Cambridge and Peterborough.
Mansfield: Mansfield families won a bespoke visit to Peterhouse College, University of Cambridge, to gain an understanding of the educational opportunities available to their children outside of their region.
Oldham: After visiting the University of Manchester in March 2023, parents have renewed their connections with the local community through launches in local schools. Parents are also developing a campaign around mental health provision.
Peterborough: Parents are currently working on a campaign to increase access to work experience opportunities for children from their communities.
Norwich Parent Power launched in October 2023, while Kent Parent Power will launch in 2024. Both will be working towards establishing their parent/carer-led campaigns.
Cardiff Parent Power
East London Parent Power
East Oxford Parent Power
Fenland Parent Power
Knowsley Parent Power
Mansfield Parent Power
Oldham Parent Power
Kent Parent Power
Norwich Parent Power
Peterborough Parent Power