We are a young parents’ group providing advice and education to other young people about the realities of becoming a young parent, through a magazine and presentations in schools, colleges and youth clubs.

Who we are…
5 young parents – mainly single parents

Where we’re based…
Burgess Hill, West Sussex

When we started…
June 2003

How we started…
We met at a mums and toddlers group and realised we all lacked information and support on a variety of essential issues, including day-to-day caring for our children, sexual health and budgeting. So we set up an advisory body for other young parents.

Our work…
We all gained public speaking and peer mentoring NVQs (level 2) so we could work with young people in schools. In our presentations and weekly support group meetings we share practical advice and our experiences. Our magazine is distributed to Connexions, youth services, health centres and through our regular visits to 8 local schools.

Future plans…
We will continue to speak at schools and youth events, and improve our training. We want to train young parents from other areas to run similar projects, and we always encourage other young mums and dads to come to our meetings with their children.

For more information…
07787 348 263 (Anne); ithappenssussex@hotmail.co.uk
07779 168 765 (Chris); outset@ukonline.co.uk


“I think young people listen to our group more than they would listen to teachers or youth workers because they can see we are just ordinary teenagers who got pregnant and now have children.”
It Happens group members