Together We Thrive: Empowering African Families in UK Parenting and Safeguarding
We are delighted to announce the Together We Thrive Project, a community-focused project supporting African families across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Coventry and the Black Country, starting in December 2024. We would like to sincerely thank the National Lottery Community Fund for funding this important project and making this work possible for African families across the West Midlands.
This 18-month initiative is designed to support African parents as they navigate parenting in the UK, equipping them with the knowledge, confidence and practical tools needed to raise their children safely and successfully within the UK context.
What the Project Is About
Together We Thrive will bridge cultural gaps in parenting practices by providing culturally sensitive education and support around:
UK parenting expectations
Safeguarding and child protection laws
Positive parenting strategies
Effective parent–child communication
Understanding children’s rights and well-being
Understanding Parents’ Rights within the safeguarding children contexts
The project aims to reduce safeguarding concerns by increasing awareness of UK laws and parenting expectations while respecting and valuing cultural identity. Parents will gain greater confidence in their parenting skills, strengthen family relationships, and feel better supported in their communities
Workshops and Activities
Over the course of the project, 40 interactive face-to-face and online workshops will be delivered to parents across the West Midlands
Each workshop will:
Provide practical guidance on positive parenting techniques
Explain UK safeguarding frameworks and legal responsibilities
Explore real-life scenarios that families may encounter
Offer tools for healthy discipline and positive communication
Create safe spaces for open discussion and peer learning
Encourage shared experiences and community support
In addition to the workshops, the project will also include:
One-to-one consultations for parents who need personalised support
Community discussions to encourage shared learning and collective problem-solving
User-friendly resource materials to reinforce learning and provide ongoing guidance at home
A Community-Led Approach
This project has been shaped directly by African parents and community leaders through parenting support groups, online workshops and ongoing feedback. It is rooted in real experiences and designed to respond to the specific challenges families have identified around safeguarding and UK parenting expectations
We look forward to welcoming families across the West Midlands to take part in this transformative journey.