Parallel Parents

📘 Essential Reading for Our Foster Carers!
Navigating the financial side of fostering shouldn’t be stressful. We’ve updated our Tax and National Insurance Guide for 2026 to make everything as simple and straightforward as possible!

Whether you are a new carer or just need a quick refresher, this easy-to-read document breaks down exactly what you need to know about your tax and NI.

👉 Got questions? We’re here to support you every step of the way. Please reach out to your FCDW directly for further guidance or tailored advice.

🌟 Celebrating 5 Years of Incredible Care! 🌟
This month, we are bursting with gratitude as we celebrate a truly special milestone. Five years ago, a group of extraordinary people opened their hearts and their homes to become foster carers with us.

Today, we want to say a massive THANK YOU to:

Caroline and David

Karen and Andrew

Kirstie-Anne and Laura

Saima and Rizwan

Sarah-Louise

Fostering is a journey filled with countless quiet moments of kindness, resilience, and unconditional support. Over the last half-decade, these incredible families have provided safety, warmth, and a bright future for children when they needed it most.

"To change a life, you just need to be there." — Five years of being there, every single day, is an achievement worth shouting from the rooftops.

Whether it’s guiding a child through a tough day, celebrating a school milestone, or simply creating a safe space to laugh and grow, your dedication has made a profound difference in our community.

Please join us in raising a virtual glass, sending a massive round of applause, and showering them all with the appreciation they so richly deserve.

Thank you all for 5 years of compassion, dedication, and beautiful care. Here’s to many more! 🥂💙

Ready to make a difference in a child's life? 💙
Our Manchester team is heading to Chadderton Park Pavillion Cafe for a drop-in fostering information session! Whether you’ve been thinking about fostering for years or you’re just starting to get curious, we’re here to help.

Stop by for a casual chat, grab some information, and get all your questions answered in a relaxed environment.

📅 Event Details:
When: 29th May

Time: 10am – 2pm

Where: Pavillion Cafe, Chadderton Hall Park, Chadderton Hall Road, Oldham OL9 0QB

Why come along?
Fostering is about providing a safe, positive, and flexible home for children who need it most. Our team will be on hand to discuss the support, training, and rewards that come with being a part of the Parallel Parents family.

No need to book—just show up! We look forward to meeting you there. 🤝✨

Phew, it was a 32°C scorcher at the Mirfield Community Gardens Fun Day this week!

Hello, Bizzy Bear here, I had the best time soaking up the sun with local families, our foster carers, the Manchester team, and the staff from Care Today. We had a blast with giant Snakes & Ladders, arts and crafts, and plenty of hot dogs! But the best part? Local people got to chat directly with our carers to get a true insight into fostering life, and I even helped a few start their own fostering journeys. Want to see all the sunny photos and find out what went down?
Click here to read the full blog! 🐾
www.parallelparents.com/blog

☀️ Sun’s out, school’s out! ☀️

We can barely believe we’re typing this, but the May half-term is officially here and the British weather is actually deciding to play ball! Yes, you read that right—real, genuine sunshine in England! 🙌

If you're looking for ways to keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank (or relying on screens), we’ve got you covered.

Let’s kick off the week with a classic: The Ultimate Half-Term Scavenger Hunt! 🕵️‍♂️✨

Whether you want to soak up that rare sunshine or need a backup plan for when a stray cloud rolls in, here are two quick checklists to get you start

💡 Top Tip: Give them a little basket or an empty egg carton to collect their treasures. It keeps them busy for hours, gives you time to actually drink your coffee while it's hot, and burns off that endless energy.

What are your big plans for the sunny week ahead? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Good News Friday!

SM has been pouring her heart into poetry lately, using it as a beautiful way to capture her thoughts—and the results are absolutely amazing! Her poems are deep, meaningful, and truly from the heart. We wanted to share one of these beautiful pieces with you today.

Our Manchester team are busy preparing for the next week of exciting events and drop in sessions! Are you interested in fostering or want to know more about Parallel Parents or how you can become a foster carer? Then come and meet the team

22nd May - Harry's Chippy Moston Pop up stall
📍Harry's Chippy, Moston, M40 5GT
🕙 11am - 2pm

26th May - Free Family fun day in Manchester
📍Mirfield Gardens, M9 6NN
🕛 11am - 1pm

29th May - Pop Up Stall in Chadderton Park
📍Chadderton Park, Pavillion Cafe, OL9 0QP
🕙10am - 2pm See less