Abuse App Idea Generates a Business Competition Win for Shropshire Sixth Formers

Entrepreneurial pupils from a Wem school have reached the final of a national competition by highlighting a little-known form of abuse. The Sixth Form team from Thomas Adams School took part in Drapers’ Den – a Dragons’ Den style business competition run by The Drapers’ Company. The team was matched with a mentor from the company and another from the Guild of Entrepreneurs and tasked with designing a product or service which could be commercially successful and would generate a material social benefit, before pitching for up to £500,000 from a team of investors.

Business Studies teacher Amy Glover said the team recognised the rise of domestic violence during lockdown, and wanted to highlight Child to Parent Abuse in particular. “The team wanted to help raise awareness of this issue and offer an idea to help create a support network for parents. They developed a hidden app which would help victims to network with others, as well as providing tips on how to de-escalate situations and document events.”

The judges were particularly delighted with the team’s presentation and their logo, which one judge said was the best they had ever seen – including within actual businesses. After impressing the judges and winning their semi-final, the team was given £1,000 to donate to an organisation of their choice. Because of the link to their app, they chose PEGS – a Shropshire not-for-profit which raises awareness of CPA, supports families experiencing it, and trains professionals who come into contact with those families.

PEGS Founding Director Michelle John said: “We are extremely grateful to the Thomas Adams team for their generous donation, and we’re also hugely impressed they chose to design a service specifically for parents experiencing CPA.

“We have lots of work to do to ensure CPA is highlighted, as it’s currently quite a hidden form of domestic abuse, but it’s heartening to know we have incredible young people like Maya, Oliver, Holly, Will, Ryan and Charlie helping to raise awareness. Well done to you all, and we can’t wait to hear how you get on in the final.”

The team, which included Maya Balachandran, Oliver Cooper, Will Evans, Ryan Greaves and Charlie Taylor (all aged 17), and Holly Eccleston (aged 18), will now take part in the grand final to be held in May.

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Allen Lane Foundation Supports New Workshop Lead Role to Expand Support for Parents

By PEGS Admin • March 18, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that the Allen Lane Foundation has generously funded a new Workshop Lead role to coordinate and deliver online workshops for parents and carers affected by Child-to-Parent Abuse (CPA) over the next 12 months. Parents and carers affected by CPA are often isolated, unsupported, and unsure where to turn. Our 2024 survey shows that 96% of parents feel isolated, 94% stressed, 92% scared, and 100% report an impact on emotional wellbeing. Over 70% have had to reduce or leave work. With demand for support rising to over 450 referrals per month and a 116% increase in November 2025 there is an urgent need for structured, accessible help. Expanding Online Workshops and 1:1 Support The new Workshop Lead will deliver a weekly online workshop for up to 15 participants, covering practical and emotional wellbeing topics such as stress management, goal-setting, and specialist techniques like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Alongside the weekly sessions, the project will also run: Bi-monthly two-part specialist workshops Monthly wellbeing workshops By taking the lead on workshop delivery, the Workshop Lead will free up our practitioner team to provide more personalised one-to-one support to high-risk parents, reaching an additional estimated 50 parents in need. Over 12 months, we anticipate that over 200 parents will benefit directly from group workshops, gaining tools to manage risk, improve emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and build confidence. The workshops will also create a safe space for peer connection, helping to reduce isolation and foster resilience. Measuring Impact We will track success through attendance figures, participant feedback, and pre- and post-workshop surveys to capture changes in confidence, coping strategies, and wellbeing. Practitioners will also monitor the effect of increased one-to-one support to ensure parents feel safer, supported, and better able to manage their situation. Michelle John, our founding director, says: "Allen Lane Foundation’s continued support enables us to reach more parents and provide the practical guidance and personal support they urgently need. This Workshop Lead role will make a real difference, helping parents feel safer, more confident, and connected, while allowing our practitioners to provide targeted one-to-one support where it’s needed most." We are incredibly grateful to the Allen Lane Foundation for their ongoing belief in our work. This funding allows us to expand our online support, reach more parents, and provide both group and personalised assistance for those affected by CPA.