The annual Parent Champions Awards recognise and celebrate the work of Parent Champions volunteers and coordinators. Coram Family and Childcare’s 41 Parent Champion schemes reach almost 50,000 families a year (2023/24). Thanks to the amazing work of more than 350 Parent Champions volunteers, parents and carers are supported by their peers in their own communities.

The winner of the Parent Champions Biggest Personal Development Award 2025 is Becky Harris from Wrexham.

This award recognises the Parent Champions volunteer who has made significant positive developments to impact their own life.

Becky was nominated by her colleague Lisa who says:

“Becky has been a Parent Champion volunteer since our local scheme began in 2022.  She has played an active role in supporting parents in the local area. She uses her own experience as a parent to offer advice around caring for children with additional needs and accessing services.  When Becky joined as a volunteer, she had faced struggles in parenting her daughter, who has complex additional needs, and had given up a career in nursing due to her own health needs. She found it hard to recognise what a considerate and proactive parent she is, and battled a lack of self-confidence”.  

Over the last three years Becky has grown hugely in confidence and has had a lasting impact on the parents she has supported. 

Becky has spoken at two professional events in the local area, sharing personal details about the challenges she faced and the battle to overcome these. She has used her experiences to inform professionals working with families as well as the families who are looking for support themselves.  Becky gave a talk in the local Wellbeing Hub, which was attended by the local mayor and many other professionals. Her colleague says Becky was truly amazing, she opened up about her early struggles and everyone could see how she goes above and beyond for her daughter. Lisa says “There was not a dry eye in the house”.

Becky has also organised three Autism Acceptance events in the local Wellbeing Hub and supports other local organisations, for example as a volunteer parent mentor for the charity Family Friends, and as a mentor in a Challenging Behaviour Pop-Up Group.

Becky explains why she was drawn to volunteer:  

“I had to find out the hard way there was no help and support there with my daughter Megan until I found Wrexham Family Information Service. I just want to help other families who feel isolated and alone”.

When she was told she had won this Award, Becky said:

“I was shocked to hear that I had won this Award as the nominees all had inspirational stories. I am delighted to have won this Award”.

Lisa says Becky is truly an inspirational volunteer as she meets each new challenge with a smile and a can-do attitude. This transition—from someone receiving support to someone providing it—has been inspiring to see.

And a final word about Becky from a local Family Support team colleague: “When I think of Becky, I think, super mum, parent champion, a listener and just an all-round fabulous person, and she is also the best cake maker that I know!"