Join a Community of Parents Helping Improve Services and Shape Decisions
Your Experience Could Help Improve Support for Local Babies and Families
Every parent and carer sees something different.
The reality of family life is rarely straightforward. Parenting can be joyful, exhausting, rewarding, frustrating and everything in between. No two families are the same, and what families need can change over time.
That is why we need real parent voices.
The Parent and Carer Panel brings parents, carers and volunteers together to help improve support for babies and families across Dorset. The panel helps shape services from pregnancy to age two, including the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme.
You do not need to speak for every family.
We simply want to hear about your experiences, your ideas and what matters to you and your family
Why Your Voice Matters
Good services are not created by policies alone.
They are shaped by the people who use them.
By sharing what worked, what was difficult and what could have been better, parents and carers help ensure that services are designed around the realities of family life.
Whether you are expecting a baby, caring for a baby or young child, or reflecting on your experience of parenting, your voice can help improve support for families across Dorset.
Real Impact Parents Have Already Had
The Parent and Carer Panel is already helping influence local services.
Panel members have attended Local Alliance Group meetings, sharing their experiences directly with professionals and decision-makers to help shape support for families.
We have also engaged with nearly 100 local parents through surveys and conversations. Their feedback has been shared with the local authority to help inform decision-making and shape the development of Family Hub services.
Parents' experiences are contributing to real conversations about how services are designed, delivered and improved.
Volunteer Story: From Parent to Play Ambassador
One Parent and Carer Panel volunteer joined DorPIP after receiving support as a parent and wanting to help improve experiences for other families.
Through the panel they developed the confidence to share their lived experience, contribute to local decision-making and represent the voices of babies and caregivers within wider services.
They said:
"Thank you for the opportunity to be involved in the Local Alliance Group meeting where we can directly share our lived experience and struggles that other parents like us face when it comes to accessing services."
That volunteer is now helping engage families through community play activities that promote connection, confidence and early relationships between babies and their caregivers.
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Your experiences and ideas can help make things better for other families.
By being part of the Parent and Carer Panel, you could help:
make information and resources more helpful for families
highlight things that make it harder for families to get support
shape services, activities and local priorities
share your views on funding for projects supporting babies and young children
bring parents’ and carers’ experiences into conversations where decisions are being made
You don’t need to have all the answers or speak for every family. Your own experiences, ideas and perspective are what matter.
Sometimes, sharing one everyday experience can help people see what could work better.
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Being part of the Panel isn’t only about what you can give. It can be a chance to learn, connect and grow too.
You might:
meet other parents and carers
build confidence in sharing your ideas
learn more about services available to families
develop communication and advocacy skills
gain experience working alongside professionals and community organisations
see how your ideas and experiences can help shape change
You’ll have training, guidance and support to help you feel comfortable taking part.
Build confidence. Make connections. Learn new skills. Help make a difference.
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There are different ways to be involved, so you can choose opportunities that feel right for you.
You might be invited to:
share your thoughts about local services
look at information and resources for families
help shape new services, activities or projects
give your views on funding applications
join Parent and Carer Panel discussions
take part in Local Alliance Group discussions
You’ll always be given information about an opportunity before deciding whether and how you’d like to take part.
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We know family life can be busy, so we want being involved to feel manageable and flexible.
The Panel includes:
an in-person meeting once every three months
meetings during school hours
online check-ins between meetings
other opportunities depending on your interests and availability
babies and children under five being welcome
agreed travel costs being reimbursed
training, guidance and preparation to support you
You can decide which additional opportunities work for you and your family.
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You don’t need any special experience or qualifications.
We’d love to hear from you if you:
are expecting a baby or have experience of caring for a baby or young child
would like to help improve services for babies and families
are happy to share your experiences and ideas
would like to work alongside other parents, professionals and community organisations
You don’t need previous volunteering, committee or public-speaking experience. Your experience as a parent or carer is valuable.
We welcome parents and carers from different communities, backgrounds and family circumstances. If there’s something that would make it easier for you to take part, you can talk to the Panel facilitator about what might help
We are recruiting!
We are currently looking for:
One volunteer in East Dorset
One volunteer in Portland and Weymouth
Two volunteers in Purbeck
Recruitment will remain open until these positions are filled.
Your experience matters. Your voice matters.
Your ideas can help shape better support for babies and families across Dorset.
Join a community of parents helping improve services and shape decisions.
Ready to Make a Difference?
To express your interest in joining, or to ask any questions before you decide, email Ines Morrell at ines@dorpip.org.uk. She will be happy to hear from you.
If you choose to express you interest in joining the Parent Carer Panel, Ines will contact you for an informal conversation to answer any questions and help you decide whether the panel is right for you.
There is no obligation to join. We would simply love to hear from you.