Proud 2 b Parents recently found out that we have been unsuccessful in our latest funding application; ultimately, we rely on this source of income to allow us to continue our vital services and provide a solid foundation to build further sustainability for our organisation.  This has been a real shock and disappointment for our team and board of directors as we have always been congratulated and championed for the unique and community led work we deliver. We know that not being able to deliver the essential services that we provide will have a significant and detrimental impact on our families meaning many will not be able to access inclusive, trusted and supportive spaces elsewhere. In response to this news, we have rallied, thought hard about our future and have begun to come up with creative ways to continue what we do.

Being the only UK based LGBT+ parent/ carer organisation for all routes to parenthood delivering the scale of provision as we do, it has been a real challenge to face a future without external funding to back our growth and sustainability. Proud 2 b Parents are fully aware that LGBT+ funding is underrepresented within community funders and greater still are applications from LGBT+ parent/ carer organisations which are uniquely underrepresented and unprovided for. Research suggests LGBT+ parent/carer led families face additional stressors and effects on their mental health as well as their children's mental health and wellbeing due to societal discrimination and minority stressors.  This is the reason we work tirelessly to provide services and support for the community.

What are the vital services we offer?

• Not only do we offer a variety of face to face services and digital provision but 
• We offer robust support for our families in terms of perinatal mental health, infant and parent mental health, social anxiety and exclusion
• We deliver informal early education to narrow the attainment gap in those children who are from previously looked after backgrounds
• We work with a variety of partners to promote equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as putting the needs of LGBT+ parents/ carers on the agenda across the LGBT sector, health, education, social care and family-based services

Proud 2 b Parents needs funding now to allow the organisation to continue our provisions and services for the community, and therefore allow the team to work towards our goal of sustainability. You can find more information about the organisation and the work we do on our website www.proud2bparents.co.uk

Can you help us reach this target and keep this organisation and our vital services going?

As Dolly Parton once said - “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”