About | Approachable Parenting

Cultivating family cohesion and confidence

Approachable Parenting (AP) is a value-driven organisation and a registered non-for-profit Community Interest Company(CIC).

Our services are founded on the belief that the family unit in Islam is the cornerstone of a healthy and balanced society.

We offer support to all parents from any background, culture, faith, or no faith, but our work originated in response to the needs of Muslim families living in the UK.

Our mission and vision

Mission

To champion parents as the heart of their families — nurturing confidence, calm, and connection by helping them learn practical, real-world skills that make family life feel stronger, healthier, and happier.

Vision

The next generation of children and young people who are empowered to thrive, succeed, and contribute positively as members of their society.

Our values

Compassionate

We model and teach Mercy, Kindness, Patience, and calm emotional conduct so parents can build safer, more affectionate homes. The organisation provides a non-judgemental environment where families can reflect, learn from mistakes, and grow through supportive, sensitive practice.

Diverse

We serve communities often overlooked by mainstream services while remaining fully open and welcoming to all backgrounds, cultures, and faiths. Our programmes are culturally respectful, multilingual, and tailored with sensitivity to ensure families feel understood and supported.

Nurturing

We equip parents with the tools, encouragement, and commitment needed to create long-term, positive change for their children. Through empowerment, excellence, and steadfast practice, families are supported to develop confidence, purpose, and sustainable growth in their parenting.

Our unique approach

We provide a safe environment where parents can explore problems and issues without being judged.

Blending Faith and Psychology: We uniquely blend modern psychological theories and techniques with the principles of the Muslim faith.

Culturally Sensitive Solution: Our goal is to reach those least engaged by mainstream agencies and/or resources. We achieve this by translating psychologically approved techniques into a faith and culturally appropriate grassroots-trusted solution.

Inclusivity: We are committed to inclusivity, incorporating multilingual resources and culturally relevant practices to empower families from different backgrounds to participate actively.

Our history

Founding Need: The organisation was developed because Muslim families wanted help with parenting issues from an organisation who understood their cultural, belief, and faith.

Programme Development: The Five Pillars of Parenting framework was devised in 2007. The programme developers included Muslim professionals and clinical psychologists.

Key milestones

The organisation officially launched in 2010.

The parenting programme has been changing the lives of families since 2007 and has been delivered to over 10,000 people to date.

We worked in partnership with many organisations to help realise our vision.

Accreditation & impact

Our programmes are nationally accredited and award-winning, underpinned by robust evidence-based practice and continuous evaluation. We use evidenced-based questionnaires to investigate changes in child outcomes and parenting styles.

Accreditations and Evaluation

National Academy of Parenting Research (NAPR): Our programmes were independently evaluated by the NAPR (Kings College London).

DfE Commissioning Tool Kit: The programme became an evidenced-based programme listed on the Department for Education (DfE) commissioning tool kit.

CANparent Quality Mark: Awarded in the House of Commons in January 2014, in recognition of our results and our professional conduct and competence.

Mentoring Standard: The Sparklers project has gained the Mentoring and Befriending Approved Provider Standard (NCVO).

Awards and Recognition

NHS Race Equality Award: Proud Winners of the HSJ NHS Race Equality Award 2023 (Confirmed in previous conversation).

Social Enterprise Award: Highly Commended at the SEWM SE Awards 2013.

Measurable Scope and Impact

Mental Health Outcomes: Our culturally-sensitive approach has been independently proven to significantly reduce instances of dysfunctional parenting, parental depression and anxiety, and to improve child mental health.

Relationships: Families experience stronger bonds and better communication, creating a nurturing environment that supports growth.

Community Focus: We deliver tailored support, such as:
- Low-cost counselling specifically for the BAMER community, ensuring religious beliefs and cultural differences are respected.
- Doula support focused on the BAME community to ensure greater equity of care during pregnancy and birth.

Collaborative Reach: We partner with local health services, schools, Children Centres, the NHS, and hospitals, extending our reach to implement programmes that support children and families. For example, we delivered the Pregnancy and Beyond programme in hospitals and the 4–11 years programme in schools.

Long-term Goals: We strive for sustainable change by equipping parents with lasting skills, aiming to influence future generations.