On Friday 19 September 2025, parents, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders gathered at SOAS Brunei Gallery to mark a major milestone: 25 years of Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC). Created with parents and informed by lived experience, SFSC is an evidence-based parent programme rooted in inclusive community strength. It equips families with the tools, confidence and connections they need to raise healthy, resilient children that thrive in their environments.
Throughout the day, delegates heard from inspiring keynote speakers and contributors with expertise in race equity, parenting and community leadership, as well as parents sharing their own stories. The panel discussion was chaired by Jabeer Butt OBE, Chief Executive of the Race Equality Foundation.
Insights from the TOGETHER study evaluation on the effects of SFSC
Dr. Anita Mehay, Senior Research Fellow at City, St. Georges, University of London, shared new insights from the independent five-year randomised controlled trial led by UCL, which evaluated the effectiveness of the SFSC. The full findings are currently awaiting publication and will be shared publicly early in 2026.
Driving equity in family support: what we learned and what’s next
Critically, the conference created space to listen to men’s experiences and learn from them, highlighting practical approaches and case studies that support young men and fathers who may be overlooked by services and left without the help they need.
Delegates took part in two interactive workshops, choosing from five workshops designed to support inclusive and effective family work, from ‘Involving Fathers: learning from father-specific spaces’ to supporting parents of neurodivergent children and young children at risk.
This landmark event was more than a celebration. It was an opportunity to reflect on what still needs to change and to explore how SFSC’s learning can drive inclusive, community-led parenting support for future generations.
Read on to learn the themes and key takeaways that emerged from the day.
A beacon of hope and best practice
Opening the day, Lib Peck, Director of the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, described SFSC as “a beacon of hope and a beacon of best practice.” She reflected on how much family life has changed over the past 25 years, from rising inequality to the pressures of growing up online. Referencing Netflix’s Adolescence, she highlighted how many parents feel unprepared to support children navigating digital spaces that did not exist when they were young.
She emphasised:
• Co-production that puts young people and families at the heart of solutions.
• The strength of trust-based partnerships with communities.
• A future where prevention and relationship-building are prioritised across systems.
Lib Pek celebrated SFSC’s ability to stay relevant through changing times and invited us to imagine what could be achieved over the next 25 years if we fully commit to equity and working alongside communities.
Parenting against the current: racism, trauma, and the fight for equity
The morning panel explored how racism shapes the everyday realities of parenting, showing how it threads itself into daily routines so deeply that it can feel almost invisible, like part of the “water we swim in,”.
Key themes from the discussion included:
• Racism as an everyday trauma that quietly but deeply affects parenting and child outcomes.
• Cultural identity is often misunderstood or treated as a problem or a risk by services.
• Generational differences in experiencing racism can cause tension and miscommunication at home.
• The need for solidarity between minoritised communities and white working-class families, whose struggles are rooted in the same inequalities.
“SFSC is a lifeline, not a luxury.”
The afternoon panel, ‘Then, Now, Next: 25 Years of SFSC and the future of parenting support’, turned our focus to the future. While celebrating SFSC’s reach and the thousands of families the programme has supported, speakers were clear that this work sits within a much bigger picture. Parenting support alone cannot dismantle inequality, however SFSC continues to show what is possible when families are empowered early and with understanding.
The discussion highlighted the financial and human value of prevention, noting that investing in SFSC can help children stay safely with their families rather than entering costly statutory services. Fundings and investment cuts were acknowledged, but in face of these hardships a focus on assets rather than deficits was emphasised. During the audience Q&A, delegates offered ideas for the future, including using social media to reach more parents and strengthening post-programme networks so families can stay connected and continue to lead change together.
But the moment that truly captured the room came from the youngest panellist, Nicolaus, the son of an SFSC graduate. Speaking with pride and conviction, he shared how he is living proof of the programme’s success and of the dedication shown by every parent, facilitator and partner in the room. He invited his mother onto the stage, and as she cried with pride, many audience members did too, with a standing ovation closing the session.
This was a powerful reminder of the full-circle transformation SFSC supports and the future that families are building together.
Looking ahead: SFSC 2026 Conference
SFSC’s legacy lives on in the futures it helps create, for the families of today and the generations that follow. This anniversary was a moment to pause and be proud, but the work continues. Inequalities persist, and family life continues to evolve. SFSC will remain committed to supporting parents, families and communities, strengthening relationships at home and changing the environments in which children grow.
As further testament to the importance and recognition of SFSC’s impact, we are excited to share that we will be hosting an annual SFSC conference in 2026. Dates are to be confirmed, but we look forward to welcoming you again.
We hope you will join us as this journey continues, building a future where every family is supported to thrive.
