We wanted to take a moment to share some truly uplifting news. The Youth Mental Health Foundation (YMHF) is incredibly thankful for the support we received from the Gibbons Family Trust (GFT), whose generous grant of £1,950 made our Power2Parent (P2P) Group at the South Hams Family Hub possible.
This funding allowed us to deliver an essential early intervention program—not just covering costs, but putting genuine, heartfelt support directly into the hands of parents and carers in our community. This is what selfless partnership looks like, and we are excited to show you the positive change it delivered.
When Families Need a Lifeline: Power2Parent
When a child or teenager is battling tough emotions, mental health struggles, or behavioral issues, their parents often feel completely alone. Navigating the long waits for specialist services can be overwhelming.
That’s where P2P steps in.
Our goal is simple: to offer timely support, giving parents the skills, strategies, and confidence they need to become their child’s strongest advocate and supporter.
Over ten sessions delivered between February and September 2025, the P2P group provided a safe, non-judgmental space for families in South Hams.
The program’s strength lies in its authenticity, as it’s co-led by Claire and Joel Sutton, parents who have been through this journey themselves while supporting their own teenage daughter’s recovery.
We focused on three core areas to make sure parents felt equipped and cared for:
Real Talk & Skills: Learning simple, evidence-based tools to guide their young person’s recovery.
Self-Care Check-In: Reminding parents that they can’t pour from an empty cup—taking care of themselves is essential.
Peer Support: Connecting with other parents facing similar challenges. Knowing you are not alone is a game-changer.
The Proof is in the Parents: Measuring Our Impact ✨
The best way to see the impact of this grant is through the experiences of the ten parents who attended and the seventeen young people their support benefited.
We asked the participants how they felt, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive and sincere:
Parents Reported…
Result
Feeling the session was very helpful: 98%
Feeling very comfortable & supported in the group: 98%
This isn’t just about high scores; it’s about real relief, genuine connection, and gaining the confidence to make a difference at home.
Here’s what some of the parents shared with us:
“The courses with Joel and Claire + other parents are the stepping stones which has been key in the progress we have needed as a parent.”
“This course is giving me confidence and helping me grow in my parenting journey.”
“It’s nice to know I’m not alone.”
Building a Stronger, More Sustainable Future ➡️
The Gibbons Family Trust’s support has done something truly profound for the future of our P2P program. The success and excellent feedback from this grant project contributed to Devon County Council (DCC) assessing and officially qualifying the P2P programme for Early Help funding!
This is a huge win for the community. It means that the P2P program is now integrated into local authority pathways, moving it from relying 100% on grants toward a more resilient model.
Parents of young people in Devon can now access up to £400 of DCC funding to join a P2P group, ensuring this essential, proven support can reach more families consistently, whenever they need it.
To the Gibbons Family Trust, thank you for your commitment to our mission. This grant wasn’t just a one-off project; it was the foundation we needed to build a long-term, sustainable support system for struggling families across Devon. 💜