Gina Camputaro, director of The Parent House Trust

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PARENTS are struggling to have their basic needs met now more than ever, a charity has said, as it celebrates 25 years in the borough.

The Parent House opened in an empty building behind Winton Primary School, King’s Cross, in 2000, after the then-headteacher realised that for every child having trouble in school a parent would also be facing struggles of their own. Charity director Gina Camputaro – who has run the organisation since it was launched – has seen parents’ needs change over the years.

“When I first started, it was a lot more about the parents’ own development, getting a career, getting back into work, that sort of thing.

“As time has passed, it’s become more about having their basic needs met – not having enough time, enough finances, potentially not having enough food. So they’re not really looking at their own development because they’re focused on getting through every day.”

The Parent House is for parents of children of all ages, and offers support like clothing donations and groups where they can share and seek advice from other parents. Often they go on to volunteer at The Parent House themselves.

Parents come seeking support for issues like mental health, housing and navigating increasingly complex services.

Special education needs and disability, SEND, provision is a common challenge for many parents too, Ms Camputaro explained.

“They’re fighting constantly to be heard. People are really desperate.”

While the aim is to “help the child by helping the parent”, she added: “There has got to be some self-care for them, their self-esteem, their worth.

“We’re not really an organisation that is ‘supporting’ parents – we work in collaboration with parents.

“What I love about it is the fact that you see parents help themselves. If people can build trust and feel safe somewhere, you really see how they can grow.”

The Parent House is raising money for its 25-year anniversary with a 2.5km fundraising walk from the house in Calshot Street to Caledonian Park on March 15, followed by a free lunch.