By VoA Newsdesk –

The Ashbrow Parents Advocacy Network (APAN), in collaboration with Kirklees Local TV, is proud to announce the launch of its new website, offering a vital resource for parents and caregivers in the Ashbrow community.

APAN is dedicated to empowering parents and advocating for the well-being of every child. The network recognises the crucial role parents play in their children’s educational, professional, and personal journeys.

What Does APAN Do?

Through its new website, APAN provides a platform for:

• Dedicated Parent Advocates: Offering guidance and support on various issues, including school navigation, addressing concerns like exclusion or discrimination, and empowering parents to advocate effectively for their children’s needs.
• Promoting Positive Communication: Fostering constructive dialogue between families, schools, and the wider community to create a supportive learning environment.
• Recognising Faith: Respecting individual faith and religious beliefs, understanding their influence on parenting and student values.
• Collaborative Partnerships: Working with organisations like the West Yorkshire Police Kirklees Division to address institutional racism and historical issues, promoting trust and inclusivity.
• Supporting Family Stability: Equipping parents with tools to navigate challenges like the cost of living, social media, and societal pressures, and mitigating potential risks like substance use, gang affiliation, and mental health issues.
• Local Ward Concerns: Connecting parents with Ward Councillors to address existing policies and influence positive change.

The APAN website also serves as a:

• Community Forum: Providing a space for parents to discuss pressing issues like BME experiences, behaviour and bullying, gang culture, and police interactions.
• Confidential Support: Offering a safe and understanding environment for parents to share their concerns and receive support.
• Accountability Platform: Holding public stakeholders accountable and ensuring the needs of parents, families, and the community are prioritised.

APAN Team

The team at APAN consists of parents and advocates from across Kirklees, from teachers to ward councillors, trainers and more.

In a joint statement, Chair of APAN, Zarina Amin and Vice-Chairs Helen Cudjoe and Lisa Brooks, said: “APAN is an exciting opportunity to support the parents and children of the Ashbrow Ward.

“The team have spent several months working tirelessly behind the scenes, gathering resources, building the website, and making sure the information and advocacy we offer will be of great benefits to parents and their children.

“We’ve gathered a strong team of advocates from across a wide range of sectors including faith, politics, youth work, training, and development and more.

“Apan will be a game changer for parents and children as well as the whole community of Ashbrow, and we’re excited to embark on this journey.”

Next Steps

The launch of the website represents merely the beginning of the journey for the Ashbrow Parents Advocacy Network.

A full launch is planned for later this year, where the APAN team will invite the public and delegates of organisations from the private, public and community sectors to gather and discuss the issues that parents and children are facing at a community level.

The Ashbrow Parents Advocacy Network website is now live and can be accessed at www.kirkleeslocaltv.com/apan