Young Parents become peer support mentors with the Support of the WILD Voices project and a grant from the ICB Health and Wellbeing fund

WILD Young Parents are working towards a fair start for young parent families.

WILD VOICES has given young parents the chance to become a peer mentor to other young parents, and ensure their voice is represented across Cornwall to inform service and policy design. 

Grant awarded & impact

FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions. – ICB Health and Wellbeing Fund
Amount – £9,997.60

In March 2023, £9,997.60 was awarded by the ICB Health and Wellbeing Fund to WILD. With the support of this fund, they established WILD Voices, a parent steering group formed of 10 volunteers. 

Parents involved in WILD Voices have reported increased confidence, belonging, and being heard. They have also developed professional skills by being in a steering group.

One parent, James, was reluctant, saying he lacked confidence in himself and in being a dad. He felt connecting with his baby had been difficult and was afraid that others would judge him. He was worried about being a parent without his partner. It took him months to come in and join a group.

At his first session, James enjoyed the group. He discussed his fears and left feeling lighter. After that, he kept coming back, sometimes as a whole family, and sometimes alone with baby, and to grow in confidence. 

James is now a part of WILD Voices. He wants other parents to have the opportunity to realise their potential and overcome barriers to joining in. Wanting to make a difference to other young parent families, James has become a leading force; communicating with the team and organising meetings.

About the fund

The VCSE Health Improvement Fund forms part of the broader NHS Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) funding being led & managed by Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum.  

The overarching principle of this fund is to enable VCSE organisations to sustain, maintain and enhance their services to improve health and wellbeing outcomesMeasuring the results of the work your organisation is doing. for people and communities in Cornwall, evidencing its collective potential to reduce health inequalities.   

The 10-year strategy for the ICB aims to ensure people in Cornwall can Start Well, Live Well and Age Well. We know that 12.4% of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s population live in the 20% most deprived areas in England and organisations operating within these areas were encouraged to apply.  

For more information about WILD Young Parents see: https://www.wildproject.org.uk/

If you are a community group looking for funding, please view our available grants: Applying for a grant – Cornwall Community Foundation

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