Parentsactive was established in 2001 by parents who wanted better support, understanding and inclusion for families of disabled children in Hammersmith & Fulham. From the very beginning, Parentsactive has been rooted in lived experience; created by parents, for parents at a time when many families felt isolated and unheard.
In its early years, Parentsactive grew as a local support network, bringing families together to share experiences, access information and build confidence while navigating education, health and social care systems. As membership increased, so did the need for structured engagement with local services to ensure that parent voices were reflected in decisions affecting children and young people with disabilities.
A significant national shift came with the Children and Families Act 2014, which placed a legal duty on local authorities to involve families and children in discussions and decisions about their care and education. In response to this change, Parentsactive became the Co-production forum for Hammersmith & Fulham, strengthening its role as a collective voice for local parent carers.
From 2003 until 2024, Parentsactive was hosted by H&F Mencap, a partnership that enabled the forum to grow, develop and deepen its impact while remaining firmly parent-led. During this time, Parentsactive delivered a wide range of events, workshops, training sessions and consultation activities, supporting families and contributing to improvements in local SEND services.
As the forum evolved, Parentsactive expanded its work beyond peer support. We developed strong partnerships with the local authority, education settings, health providers and other key organisations, gathering the views of families and using these insights to both celebrate what was working well and challenge areas where change was needed. This collaborative approach has allowed Parentsactive to play a meaningful role in shaping services for disabled children and young people across the borough.
In 2024, Parentsactive entered a new chapter by becoming an independent Community Interest Company (CIC). This transition marked an important milestone, giving Parentsactive greater independence while safeguarding its community led purpose.
In 2025, Parentsactive’s long-standing impact was formally recognised at the Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Honours, where twenty-four local people and organisations were celebrated for helping to make the borough a stronger, safer and kinder place. Parentsactive CIC received an award for more than 20 years of empowering parents of disabled children and young adults, with nominations coming from colleagues, community members and families who have worked alongside us day to day. Our recognised impact includes fundraising for and installing wheelchair-accessible swings and roundabouts in Wormholt and Ravenscourt Parks, as well as working in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Council to help establish the borough’s three new Family Hubs.
Today, Parentsactive continues to provide a trusted support network for families through peer support, advocacy, training and co-production, while working closely with partners to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Importantly, Parentsactive’s support does not stop at a specific age. We recognise that caring responsibilities, challenges and the need for guidance often continue throughout a person’s life. That is why Parentsactive remains committed to supporting all parents and carers of disabled children and young people, regardless of their age, and to advocating for services that reflect this reality.
While Parentsactive has grown and changed over more than two decades, our purpose has remained constant: to ensure that parents and carers are supported, informed and empowered, and that the voices of families shape the services their children and young people rely on.