North Halifax Partnership – Covering the areas of North Halifax, Lower Calder Valley and Calder & Ryburn
Hi, my name is Laura Kuszyk-Parker, the new Parent Champion Co-ordinator for North Halifax Partnership! I’m still fairly new, as I’ve only been working at NHP for just over six weeks!
My job as Parent Champion Co-ordinator involves going out and about in the community, attending lots of groups aimed at parents and families, meeting new people and making connections around the local area.
It’s really important to promote what North Halifax Partnership and the Family Hubs offer and to help support parents and families around the North Halifax and Lower Calder Valley areas of Halifax. We’re hoping to get parents onboard; to volunteer for us, to support other parents, and to have more of a say in the way services are designed and run.
My favourite thing about the Parent Champion Co-ordinator role is being active in the community, getting to know lots of new people, groups and services, and learning more about the areas North Halifax Partnership work in.
You can access the service (and hopefully volunteer with us!) by contacting your local Family Hub. There are leaflets and information at all the Family Hubs. You can also contact me directly on 07852174047 or email laura.kuszyk-parker@nhpltd.org.uk. Get in touch to find out a bit more about what it means to be a Parent Champion!
Halifax Opportunities Trust – Covering the areas of Upper Calder Valley and Central Halifax
Hi my name is Kausar Shahid and I have been working for Halifax Opportunities Trust for 22 years. I have had different responsibilities within my role and changed according to the needs of the communities also to meet the targets. I started as a Family Support Worker, was promoted to Community Development, and managed Family Support, outreach workers, and volunteers. I also organised training and events for the local communities.”
I supported parents and carers to get some experience through volunteering enabling them to gain employment or go for further training. At present I recruit and manage Parent Champion volunteers, and organise adult learning and events for Upper and Central Family Hub communities.
I have a vast understanding of different communities, being aware of different cultures and their needs and issues which helps me to help them by organising appropriate services. It is important to value the communities by offering them services according to their cultural needs.
The best thing is being able to offer support to those who really want to make a difference to their lives, plus supporting vulnerable and new people in the community. When I receive positive feedback from service users that my support has improved their circumstance, I feel satisfied that I have achieved something, and made a difference in someone’s life. You can contact me on kausar.shahid@regen.org.uk. Get in touch to find out a bit more about what it means to be a Parent Champion!
