A campaigner supporting thousands of parents impacted by abuse has won an international award.
Michelle John, founder of the social enterprise PEGS, was the only person in the world to be awarded gold in the Woman of the Year – Government or Non Profit category at the Stevie Awards for Women in Business 2022.
The results were announced in Las Vegas over the weekend – each winner is categorised as a gold, silver or bronze recipient based on the amount of points awarded by a panel of esteemed judges.
Michelle attracted their attention for the work she’s been undertaking to raise awareness of Child to Parent Abuse, as well as supporting impacted parents and caregivers, training professionals, and helping develop regional and national policies.
Having registered the social enterprise, which has offices in Shropshire and Derbyshire but operates across the UK, in November 2019, Michelle launched its first services the following March. The team has now helped more than 3,000 parents as well as working with statutory, voluntary and private organisations to help upskill, share knowledge and raise the profile of this little-known form of abuse.
One judge pointed out: “It’s important to remember that all of this has been achieved since launching services in March 2020, against the backdrop of a global pandemic, reduced grants and funding available for the third sector, and a generally difficult time with the economy and business world.”
Others highlighted that PEGS was an ‘excellent initiative’, named Michelle as a ‘big influencer’, called her work ‘outstanding’ and her accomplishments ‘extraordinary’. While another of the judges said the founder embodied the saying ‘be the change you want to see’.
Michelle said she was thrilled to receive the award, the first international accolade picked up by the social enterprise, adding that she wanted to thank her team, partner agencies and everyone who had supported PEGS over the last three years.
“Winning this award sees Child to Parent Abuse being highlighted on the global stage, and I’m thrilled that this potentially means more professionals being aware of CPA and conscious of how they can support families experiencing it. It also hopefully means fewer parents feel alone and isolated, because they know there are organisations out there set up to support them, and they know CPA is finally getting the recognition the issue needs.”
PEGS supports parents, carers and guardians who have children of any age (including adult offspring) displaying abusive behaviours towards them. Virtual drop-ins, peer support and workshops are available to every parent who self refers or is referred in by a professional, with additional services offered to those at high risk. All services are free for parents – children are not directly supported but PEGS has a network of partner organisations who they can signpost families towards.
Visit the website, or search PEGS Support on social media for more information.
