About Us
Supporting positive futures
Parent to Parent began with parents listening to parents.
The service grew from a conference held at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where families spoke openly about what was missing at one of the most vulnerable points in their lives. Again and again, parents shared the same wish: to have someone beside them who truly understood. Someone who had walked a similar path, who could sit with the fear, the overwhelm, and the uncertainty — and remind them they were not alone.
For many families, the time around a diagnosis — whether at birth or later — can feel life-altering. It may be clearly named, gently hinted at, or take months or years to fully understand. However it arrives, it often brings shock, grief, guilt, worry, and isolation. Parents can find themselves trying to navigate complex systems, make big decisions, and advocate for their child, all while processing their own emotions and caring for the rest of their family.
We believe how families are supported during these moments really matters. Early, sensitive, and compassionate support can have a lasting impact — not just for the child, but for parents, siblings, and the wider family too. Feeling heard, respected, and understood can make all the difference.
That’s where Parent to Parent comes in.
We walk alongside families, taking the time to really get to know them — their child, their circumstances, their strengths, and what matters most to them right now. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Support might be short-term or long-term, practical or emotional, structured or simply a safe space to talk. What matters is that families are met where they are.
As we look ahead, Parent to Parent is continuing to grow and evolve. Our five-year strategic plan sets out how we aim to extend our support to reach more children, young people, and families. This includes developing additional services and direct interventions with children and young people, always guided by the voices and experiences of the families we work with.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: no parent should have to face this journey alone.
Our Values
Nurturing
We strive to build on family based nurture, ensuring families have the resources and support to care and protect children and young people in their care
Trauma Responsive
We recognise the long term effects of trauma and ensure our services and interventions meet individuals needs to support their own healing
Inclusive
We provide a supportive environment for all members of our communities and ensure everyone feels respected and welcomed
Brave
We are not afraid to be the voice for those that we serve, ensuring their voices are heard at all levels of society
Right Respecting
We uphold the rights and voices of parents, children and young people
Empathetic
We acknowledge and understand the views and feelings of others and encompass a model of lived and living experience across our services
Restorative
We embrace forgiveness and will always seek solutions to conflict and to support healing
Collaborative
We believe in working alongside families and partners to identify challenges and work towards solutions for a positive future Governance, Partners and Funding