New community initiative to support families delivered in partnership with the University of Bristol
Press release issued:
A new community initiative supporting parents and carers to become champions for their children’s futures launched this month in Bristol.
The first meeting of Parent Power Bristol took place at the University of Bristol’s Micro Campus in Barton Hill and is being delivered in partnership with the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol).
Parent Power is a national programme run by The Brilliant Club that works with parents and carers to build confidence, increase knowledge about higher education, and strengthen connections between families, schools, and universities. The programme helps parents access information and opportunities so they can support their children’s ambitions and educational journeys.
Abir Ahmed, Community Organiser for Parent Power Bristol at The Brilliant Club said: “Being the first Community Organiser for Bristol Parent Power is an incredible opportunity to help families see that higher education is within reach for their children. When parents are informed and confident, they become the strongest advocates for their children’s futures.”
Sara Baldwin, Assistant Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion from the University of Bristol, added: “Parent Power is all about building strong partnerships between universities, schools, and families. We are delighted to see the launch of a new project here in Bristol.”
Stacey Giles, Head of Widening Access and Collaborative Outreach Projects from UWE Bristol, said: “Parents and carers play a crucial role as the primary influencers in a young person’s educational journey. By supporting families to access clear information and feel confident engaging with education pathways, we can help ensure that every child—regardless of background—has the opportunity to realise their potential and succeed.”
The programme is also being delivered in partnership with Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), a multi-academy trust in the South West of England.
Andrew Bell, Partnerships Manager, Cabot Learning Federation, said: “We’re really excited to be part of such an important project for families in the communities we serve in Bristol. Raising ambition and aspiration is a key focus at the CLF, the launch of a Parent Power chapter in the area is a vital step to ensure parents and carers feel confident supporting their children to achieve their potential.”
Together, the partners are working together to create a strong and supportive network that places families at the heart of conversations about education and opportunity.
Further information
In Bristol, young people from less advantaged backgrounds continue to face significant barriers to higher education. Across the city, 30 percent of school leavers from the most deprived areas progress to higher education, compared to more than 60 percent from the least deprived areas (Department for Education, 2022).
Parents and carers from all backgrounds want the best for their children and play a crucial role in shaping their post-school pathways and aspirations. Research shows that parents account for nearly 50 percent of the factors influencing the socio-economic gap in education by age 11 (The Institute for Fiscal Studies), and that parental engagement can help young people make an average of four months’ additional educational progress (Education Endowment Foundation).
Through this new partnership, with the University of Bristol, UWE Bristol, and the CLF, Parent Power aims to strengthen local and national efforts to widen access to higher education by developing a scalable model that works directly with families to address the social and cultural barriers that prevent underrepresented students from entering and thriving in higher education.
The lived experience of Bristol’s parent/carer communities will ensure the approach is grounded in the realities of the local education system and the unique needs of Bristol’s diverse communities.
The new Parent Power Bristol chapter will join 15 existing chapters in England, Scotland and Wales. Parent Power builds parent/carer communities across the UK, each one supported by a local partnership. Through support to develop community organising skills, as well as advice and guidance on accessing higher education, parents and carers are empowered to ensure their children have a fair chance in education and their future careers.
The model gathers interest from parents, follows up with one-to-one meetings, and then facilitates six group meetings led by a local Community Organiser. In meetings, parents decide which activities will benefit their communities – from tailored visits to universities for young people to training on student finance and university access.
