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A Better Start Southend
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Support for the ABSS Parent Champion Programme from SAVS

A vital component of its success.

Introduction

Co-production within ABSS meant that communities, delivery partners, and professionals worked collaboratively and equally throughout the design and delivery of services across the lifetime of the programme. The lived experiences of parents were valued just as highly as professional expertise, ensuring that all voices informed service development, and in some cases led the services too.

 

Southend Parent Champions were trained volunteers, who were supported and managed throughout the life of the programme by the Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS) as part of the ABSS fundamental commitment to real co-production.

 

The role of the Parent Champions was to promote the programme, enable and increase engagement—particularly within local communities—and contribute their lived experience to the co-design, co-production and delivery of services.

 

SAVS, being already firmly embedded within the local community, was ideally positioned to support parents in becoming Parent Champions. Through this role, parents played an active part in shaping ABSS services by working in partnership with professionals and delivery teams.

 

Between 2017 and 2025, the Engagement and Co-Production project worked with 108 Parent Champions, engaging thousands of families across Southend. The insights and experiences shared by parents—facilitated, encouraged and supported by SAVS—were instrumental in shaping and refining ABSS services, making those services more responsive and relevant to the needs of local families.

Why SAVS was the right organisation to engage and support the Parent Champions

  • SAVS is a trusted strategic partner with a strong, established presence across Southend, well-positioned to reach across local communities and to lead community engagement efforts.
  • SAVS had a proven track record of researching and amplifying local voices, and ensuring community perspectives directly informed meaningful change.
  • SAVS has extensive experience working alongside diverse communities, empowering individuals from all backgrounds to participate confidently in shaping services.
  • Their reach and their expertise in community outreach created inclusive opportunities, encouraging broad and sustained engagement across local communities.
  • SAVS were able to build and maintain strong relationships with families of children under four, enabling trust and giving continuity that supported long-term involvement across the life of ABSS.

Key features of the Parent Champion Training

SAVS provided a comprehensive range of training opportunities in order to empower parents to actively engage with and contribute to the ABSS programme, was provided. These sessions were designed to build knowledge, skills, and confidence, enabling parents to play a meaningful role in shaping services and supporting their local communities.

 

Foundational Knowledge: Parents received detailed information about the ABSS programme, including its goals, key projects, and available services. This ensured they had a clear understanding of how the programme worked, how they could be involved and where their involvement could make an impact.

 

Practical Skills Development: Training included sessions on communication, advocacy, and community engagement techniques. Parents learned how to effectively share information, represent family perspectives, and support peers within their local networks.

 

Flexible Delivery Formats: To accommodate different needs and individual availability, training was offered both face-to-face—with childcare support provided via an onsite crèche—and online through a structured e-learning course supplemented by virtual support sessions. This flexibility helped remove barriers and increased accessibility for all parents.

 

Peer Support and Networking: The training created connections among parents, encouraging the development of peer support networks. This developed a collaborative environment where parents could share experiences, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships with each other, creating their own networks of support.

 

Ongoing Support: Beyond the formal sessions, the training team provided continued guidance and support, acting as a resource for parents as they applied their learning and took on active roles within the programme.

 

Recognition and Empowerment: The training aimed to not only inform but also empower parents, helping them feel valued, confident, and capable of influencing and developing local services. Many parents went on to become Parent Champions, taking leadership roles in community engagement and service design and delivery.

How SAVS supported the Parent Champion model to evolve in response to the changing needs of both the ABSS programme and the wider Southend community

The programme began with a Southend ‘ward-focused’ approach, empowering parents to take ownership of their local area or the “patch” where they lived. Parent Champions represented their communities on Ward Panels, where local community groups came together, providing regular opportunities for networking, open dialogue, and direct influence on localised decision-making.

 

A diverse range of creative and inclusive engagement activities supported by SAVS enabled parents to share their ideas and experiences in meaningful ways.

 

Leveraging their own personal networks and connections, Parent Champions recruited and engaged other parents, raising awareness of ABSS and strengthening trust and involvement within local communities.

 

As their involvement grew, Parent Champions developed the knowledge and confidence needed to promote services and to address questions from other families. They also played a key role in designing and hosting engagement events across Southend, helping to connect more families with the programme.

 

Over time, Parent Champions became more deeply integrated into the programme, evolving from local ambassadors into active contributors at the heart of ABSS programme production and governance, with support from SAVS continuing to be available throughout the whole period.

Key Principles of the SAVS Approach

SAVS believe that getting people engaged with co-production takes time and energy. It helps people to step out of their comfort zone and be open to new ways of doing things, although working this way might feel different and challenging at first.

SAVS know that co-production depends on positive, transparent relationships. This doesn't mean everyone agrees about everything all the time, but it means people can share their different perspectives in a trusted environment, where their views are valued and respected, in order to benefit the community, designing services that work better for everybody.

Through this process and using this experience SAVS have identified the following core principles that they think underpin effective co-production:

  • Accessibility – Use creative and flexible approaches to ensure that anyone who wants to contribute to co-production is able to do so. Beak down as many barriers as possible.
  • Honesty – Communicate openly and recognise when different perspectives or agendas may compete, addressing them transparently.
  • Shared Understanding – Co-production is built collaboratively. While it doesn’t require full agreement, it values differing perspectives to create a richer, more comprehensive picture.
  • Courage with Compassion – Be willing to step out of your comfort zones and recognise the courage it takes for others to do the same.
  • Inclusivity – Actively invite participation from a diverse range of people who use and deliver services, ensuring a variety of voices are heard.
  • Reciprocity – Value and recognise the time, energy, and contributions of those involved in co-production, offering appropriate rewards and acknowledgement.
  • Resourcing – Dedicate the necessary time, space, and energy to ensure co-production is meaningful and effective.
  • Transparency – Be clear about what is being worked on, why it matters, and keep others informed through regular communication and updates.
  • Respect – Listen to and value all contributions, acknowledging the breadth of experiences and viewpoints people bring.
  • Humility – Recognise that no single person has all the answers. Accept that the future is uncertain, and each hold only a part of the full picture.

Learning and Recommendations

  • Value of Co-production: The mascot project demonstrated that when children and families are included in decision-making processes, the result is more engaging and meaningful. This co-production process went beyond tokenism, offering genuine involvement and ownership.
  • Breaking Barriers: The project overcame the traditional divide between professionals and non-professionals. A shared excitement for the project helped break down those invisible barriers, allowing for more creative and authentic outcomes.
  • Fun as a Tool for Engagement: Fun and excitement are not just "fluff." They are vital for creating real engagement, building relationships, and encouraging community involvement, especially when children are involved in the process.
  • Empowerment and Community Building: The project highlighted the importance of empowering children and families, showing them that they do have a voice and can influence change. This fosters connection and combats feelings of isolation or disempowerment that can negatively affect mental health.

“Co-production takes time ..... time to learn from people, and it can be hard work, messy and unforgiving ……but the work is so much richer, better and more impactful if you do it.”

Anthony Quinn, CEO of SAVS
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