Principal activities of the company

The objects of Parent to Parent are to support parents of children with additional needs and children and young people with additional needs including any form of learning, physical, sensory or emotional disability. It also supports parents of children with behavioural problems or who are seriously or terminally ill. This support is in addition to professional help and Parent to Parent works closely with the Health services, Social Work and Education Departments. The aims of Parent to Parent Limited are to offer support, contact and information to these families through self-help, mutual support, advocacy, assistance and education. It aims to support families to overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation and reduce their stress by reinstating hope and increasing their confidence. This is achieved through one to one support, group support and links to volunteer parents who themselves have had experience of caring for a child with additional support needs.

Additional information

Decision making process The decision making process is a majority vote of the directors. If there were an equal split the chair would have the casting vote. Recruitment, induction and training of directors New directors are recruited and appointed according to the workload of the board in terms of both the business of the charitable company and the needs of Parent to Parent Limited in that they require specific jobs to be fulfilled by their directors. Review of the charitable company’s activities during the year The 2024–2025 financial year has been one of significant transition for Parent to Parent Ltd, marked by both growing demand and increasing financial pressure. In a difficult and rapidly changing funding environment, the charity has remained committed to its mission of supporting families of children with additional needs. Rising demand and strategic use of reserves Demand for our services continued to grow, with increasing numbers of families seeking support for issues including financial hardship, emotional distress, and the daily challenges of caring for children with additional needs. In response, the Board of Directors approved the continued use of the organisation’s reserves to maintain staffing at the same levels as the previous year. This decision enabled the charity to provide consistency of support and service delivery to those most in need. However, while this use of reserves was necessary, the Board recognises that this is not sustainable in the long term. The charity has already begun implementing strategic changes and financial planning to ensure that Parent to Parent Ltd can continue to operate within its means and remain financially resilient going forward. Funding landscape and financial pressures The charity has faced one of its most difficult financial periods to date. Several multi-year grant agreements came to an end during this financial year, and while short-term funding was secured from other trusts and organisations, many of these were limited to 12 months and did not provide long-term security. Efforts to secure new funding streams through various avenues were unsuccessful, despite a high level of activity in applications and partnerships. As a result, a significant portion of the charity’s reserves was used once again to bridge the gap and ensure continuity of services. The Board is closely monitoring the charity’s financial position and has taken steps to reduce costs and restructure services to remain viable. This includes reducing staffing levels, which regrettably means the Young Persons Advocacy Team will be disbanded. In its place, the charity will be moving to a whole family support model, aimed at providing more integrated and sustainable support to families. Service delivery and programmes Despite financial constraints, the staff team have continued to work with dedication and innovation throughout the year. Support services were expanded where needed, with new peer groups introduced in areas where demand was identified. These groups offer vital social, emotional, and practical support to parents and carers. Decider skills programme Designed to help parents and children manage anxiety, stress, and communication challenges continued at pace. Delivered online and in person, and offered during both daytime and evening hours, this programme reached a broad audience and played a key role in the charity’s early intervention work. The team also continued to support families experiencing financial hardship, assisting with benefit applications, grant referrals, and access to food parcels, gifts, and energy support. Staff worked closely with other agencies to ensure families could access more specialist help where required. The continuation of the Potato Peel Pie Hubs and a formal partnership with Relationships Scotland proved to be highly beneficial. These initiatives offered meaningful, community-based support, and plans are in place to grow these partnerships further to provide comprehensive wraparound support to more families in the future. Partnerships and collaboration Parent to Parent Ltd continued to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders throughout the year, including local authorities, health services, educational professionals, and other third sector organisations. These partnerships are critical to the charity’s ability to provide holistic, joined-up support for families. Leadership transition The end of the financial year also marked a significant leadership transition, as the charity’s Head of Service retired. Their contribution to the charity over many years has been immense, and the Board wishes to express its deepest gratitude for their dedication, leadership, and impact. Looking ahead While the charity faces a challenging financial outlook, its commitment to supporting families remains resolute. The move to a whole family support model, the prudent use of reserves, and a renewed focus on sustainable funding reflect the Board’s determination to ensure the future of Parent to Parent Ltd. The charity will continue to pursue diverse income opportunities, develop new partnerships, and refine its service delivery to remain responsive, effective, and sustainable. The Board remains confident that with a clear strategy and strong leadership, Parent to Parent Ltd will continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the families it serves Achievements and performance The results for the year and financial position of the charitable company are as shown in the annexed financial statements. There was a net deficit of £111,414 (2024 – net surplus £11,991). The movements in reserves are shown in notes 10 and 11 to the financial statements.

This report was approved by the board of directors on 11 December 2025
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: Glenn Finnie
Status: Director