Parent and family network

Welcome to the Parent and Family Network!

We are a staff network set up to support, represent and foster community among colleagues with familial and other caring responsibilities for children and young people, adults or elderly family members. We advocate for staff across the University and also welcome PHD students to be included in our supportive network by providing a social forum, termly meetings and talks on a range of subjects. We welcome any and all to join and be part of our community both online and in person. Parenting and caring for people of all ages can be challenging (albeit it very rewarding too) so we are here to support you and advocate as well as signpost for you as best we can. 

Joining the Network: We keep in touch through our online community, offering each other informal peer support and information to help us, as parents and carers, manage work and family life. Join our Parent and Family Network | General | Microsoft Teams. Our Teams group has channels for different subgroups including:

Adoptive Parents/Carers

Children with SEND

Childless not by choice (coming soon)

Complex fertility journeys (coming soon)

Eldercare

Father channel

International and Multilingual Families 

Neonatal Parents

New and Expectant Parents

School Aged Children

You can also contact us via parentfamilynetwork@reading.ac.uk.

Introducing the Network leadership The Network is led by two co-chairs and a steering committee, who are all staff volunteers from across the University.

We acknowledge that under the umbrella of Parent and Family lies a number of sub groups and we aim to be as inclusive as possible. If you are passionate and feel there is a gap within the network or you wish to become an active champion we would welcome your ideas so do get in touch via email ( parentfamilynetwork@reading.ac.uk) and we would be happy to link in.

The Network is a member of the National Network of Parents and Carers in Higher Education. How the Network began: The Network was founded after two colleagues, Ellen and Nikki, returned to work following maternity leave and wanted a way to connect with other working parents. With support from the Deans of Diversity and Inclusion, the Network was founded in 2019 and currently has over 300 members from all areas of the University. Events We run a mixture of informal discussion sessions and meet-ups, and talks with invited speakers. For information on upcoming events please join our Teams group. You can find information on previous events, as well as links to recordings of selected events (university log-in required) on the Events page.

The Network is one of the University's diversity and equality networks. These webpages bring together relevant information and resources which may be of interest to those with parenting and caring responsibilities at the University.