From Little Steps to Big Leaps: Reflecting on Our Midweek Meet-Ups
As we reach the end of another school year, my social media feed is full of proud families posting photos of their children finishing primary school, before their big move to secondary school. For many, these are ordinary milestones. But for me—and for all of us at Proud 2 b Parents—these photos mean something even more powerful. Many of these young people were just toddlers when they first walked (or were carried!) through the doors of our midweek meet-ups.
It feels like only yesterday that we launched our very first midweek session in one of Manchester’s children’s centres. Back then, it had been years since any midweek provision existed specifically for LGBT+ parents and carers. We stepped in to fill that gap—creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for our families during the week. And the response was incredible.
We had little ones splashing in water trays, getting gloriously messy with paint, and sharing toys with new friends. But more than that, we had grown-ups—LGBT+ parents, carers, and co-parents—connecting. They were talking, laughing, and sharing stories of their journeys to parenthood. They were accessing peer support, sometimes for the first time, and feeling the relief of finding a space where their family was reflected back at them.
What began as a small group has since evolved into a vibrant, full-service organisation, offering a wide range of activities tailored to the ever-growing and diverse needs of our community.
Last year alone, we engaged over 1,000 individuals through our services. Already this year, more than 100 parents and 75 children have registered with us—testament to both the increasing visibility of LGBT+ families and the pressing need for affirming, accessible support.
But today, I find myself particularly emotional thinking about those “originals”—the children who toddled through our doors in those early sessions and who now are proudly getting ready to begin the next stage of their journey in secondary school. Many of them are now attending Proud to Be Me, our youth group, and it’s wonderful to still be part of their lives as they navigate adolescence.
It’s hard to put into words how special it is to witness their growth—not just in height and knowledge, but in confidence, identity, and pride in their families. Many of these children have grown up surrounded by peers with similar families. They’ve had access to affirming spaces, to representation, and to the consistent message that they and their families are valid, seen, and celebrated.
That early intervention, that sense of belonging, has made a lasting impact. These young people advocate fiercely and proudly for themselves and their families. They speak up. They challenge stereotypes. They shine.
So, as I see those leavers’ photos this summer, I’m taken right back to those early sessions. To the splashes and giggles of water play, the quiet conversations , the shared parenting tips, and the feeling that—finally—we had created something truly special.
And we’re not stopping here. We’re constantly looking for new ways to make our work sustainable, to continue evolving our services, and to reach the most marginalised individuals in our communities.
But today, we pause for a moment of reflection—and celebration. Because those little ones? They’re growing up. And they’re becoming something extraordinary.
Matt Taylor-Roberts
Founder and CEO of Proud 2 b Parents
