PCF Annual General Meeting 2026

Chair’s Address

Parent Carer Foundation Annual General Meeting 2026

Good morning, everyone!

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I warmly welcome you all to our Annual General Meeting and sincerely thank you for being here.

Whether you are a parent, carer, volunteer, trustee, partner, funder, or supporter, your presence truly reflects the strength of our caring community, and I am very grateful for your ongoing support.

As we come together to reflect on another year, I am reminded of just how much the Parent Carer Foundation has achieved.

For the past 16 years, we have stood alongside parents, carers, families, and adults as they navigate what can often feel like a challenging and overwhelming journey. During that time, services have evolved, legislation has changed, and the challenges families face have continued to grow. Yet, through all these changes, one thing has remained constant: our purpose has always been simple and heartfelt—to ensure that no family has to face their journey alone.

This purpose guides every decision we make and every conversation we have with the families who walk through our doors.

Over the past year, we have seen an inspiring increase in demand for support.

This year alone, we supported families, carers, and adults through a variety of services such as one-to-one support, drop-ins, therapy groups, information sessions, workshops, signposting, and advocacy.

Behind each of these numbers is a real person with their own unique story, challenges, and hopes for the future. It is a true privilege that so many continue to trust and turn to Parent Carer Foundation.

One of the most valuable lessons we have learned over these 16 years is that most people may forget specific pieces of advice, but they will always remember how they were made to feel.

Families tell us that what mattered most was feeling truly heard without judgment, having things explained in plain English, and knowing they are not alone.

That is something every volunteer, trustee, and team member should be incredibly proud of.

This year, we have continued to develop our support to make it even more welcoming, compassionate, and tailored to the needs of our community.

We have maintained our efforts to deliver helpful information, therapy groups, workshops, and opportunities for parents and carers to connect with others who understand their experiences.

We have also been working on creating accessible resources that clearly explain SEND processes because we understand that systems can sometimes feel confusing and overwhelming. Making information straightforward, practical, and accessible remains a top priority for us.

Additionally, we have strengthened our relationships with schools, health services, local authorities, and community organisations. We truly believe that better outcomes happen when these groups work together and when lived experiences help shape local services.

A special highlight this year has been our growing partnership with The Salvation Army.

Their generosity in providing spaces for our therapy groups has created a calm and welcoming environment where families can come together, build confidence, and find emotional support.

Equally important, they have provided us with a private office for confidential meetings with parents and carers, offering a safe space to discuss concerns, seek advice, and receive guidance.

This partnership perfectly exemplifies what community teamwork should look like, and I want to thank The Salvation Army on behalf of everyone at Parent Carer Foundation for their support and belief in our work.

I also want to recognise the incredible commitment of our volunteers.

Many bring their own lived experience alongside their skills, kindness, and generosity. Together, they have contributed many volunteer hours this year, offering practical help, emotional encouragement, and hope to many families.

Honestly, Parent Carer Foundation would not be the same without them.

My heartfelt thanks also go to my fellow trustees for their dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment.

Behind the scenes, they make tough decisions, manage our finances, ensure legal responsibilities are met, and help shape our future. I am very proud of everything we have achieved together.

Like many charities, we still face challenges.

Support needs continue to grow, and funding opportunities remain highly competitive.

Families need more than quick fixes; they require trusted relationships and consistent support when

they need it most.

As trustees, we believe that sustainable funding is vital to protect these essential services.

Looking ahead, our goal is not just growth in size.

It is about remaining true to our core values while adapting to the changing needs of our community.

In the coming year, we will continue to strengthen our early-help support, providing more therapy groups, drop-ins, and welcoming spaces where families feel truly valued.

We will also expand our leadership by lived experience, ensuring the voices of parents, carers, and adults influence the services designed to support them.

Supporting our volunteers remains a priority, as we know their dedication is key to our ongoing success.

We will persist in creating accessible resources that make complex systems understandable and easy to navigate.

And, as always, we will foster strong partnerships across education, health, social care, and voluntary organisations because real, lasting change happens through collaboration.

The foundation of all these efforts is sustainable funding.

Core funding not only enables us to deliver services but also supports governance, safeguarding, volunteer initiatives, and organisational stability that families rely on.

As trustees, we are committed to maintaining Parent Carer Foundation’s financial resilience and remaining true to the values that have guided us over these past 16 years.

Before I conclude, I want to thank everyone who has contributed to making this year so successful.

Thank you again to all our supporters for their kindness and dedication.

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