{"id":1200,"date":"2026-03-11T15:41:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:41:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/?page_id=1200"},"modified":"2026-04-28T13:46:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T12:46:58","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1200\" class=\"elementor elementor-1200\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5823a97e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5823a97e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6077d8f2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6077d8f2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5adc31ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5adc31ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Iris Exists<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-647968fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"647968fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>IRIS was born from a simple but powerful belief: <strong>the systems designed to support families should work for everyone, not just a fortunate few<\/strong>. Too often, families of children with complex needs find themselves navigating a maze of fragmented services, facing barriers that leave them isolated, exhausted, and unheard.<\/p><p>Our mission is to <strong>redesign how support systems work<\/strong>\u2014not by adding more services, but by listening to the voices of those who know the system best: families themselves. We exist to bridge the gap between lived experience and systemic change, ensuring no family is left to face their challenges alone.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39c8032 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"39c8032\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ChatGPT-Image-Jan-29-2026-03_54_11-PM-e1772707897131.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1148\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ChatGPT-Image-Jan-29-2026-03_54_11-PM-e1772707897131.png 800w, https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ChatGPT-Image-Jan-29-2026-03_54_11-PM-e1772707897131-267x300.png 267w, https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ChatGPT-Image-Jan-29-2026-03_54_11-PM-e1772707897131-768x864.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The Iris Model<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5a5b84 e-grid e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e5a5b84\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cc859c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1cc859c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">Our Values and What Sets IRIS Apart<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">At IRIS, we don\u2019t just talk about change\u2014we <\/span><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">live it<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">. Here\u2019s how we\u2019re different:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><p><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">We Start with Stories<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">: Every policy, project, and partnership begins with the real-life experiences of families. We don\u2019t assume we know what\u2019s needed; we ask, we listen, and we act.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">We Work Across Silos<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">: Most organisations operate within sectors\u2014health, education, social care. IRIS works <\/span><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">across<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\"> them, because families don\u2019t experience their challenges in neat categories.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">We Focus on System Change<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">: While many organisations provide direct services, IRIS goes further. We use what we learn from families to <\/span><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">reshape the systems themselves<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">, so support is sustainable, inclusive, and effective for everyone.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">We Elevate Voices<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">: Families aren\u2019t just recipients of support\u2014they\u2019re experts. We amplify their voices in research, policy, and practice, ensuring their insights drive real change.<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e0e9a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e0e9a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">From Story to System Change<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">IRIS doesn\u2019t just respond to the challenges families face\u2014we <\/span><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">rebuild the systems that create them<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">. Here\u2019s how:<\/span><\/p><ol><li><p><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">We Listen<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">: Through workshops, research, and one-to-one engagements, we gather the unfiltered experiences of families.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">We Learn<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">: We partner with academics, policymakers, and practitioners to turn those stories into evidence and actionable insights.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">We Lead Change<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">: From influencing policy to redesigning local support systems, we ensure that what we learn from families <\/span><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">shapes how services are delivered<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">.<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ol><p><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">Our model is simple: <\/span><strong><span class=\"diff-inserted\" data-diff-type=\"inserted\">Families inform. We act. Systems change.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49444b8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"49444b8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1636d3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1636d3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/our-story\/\">Click here to read more about our story<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f41085 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3f41085\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30b9fe0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"30b9fe0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">IRIS is more than an organisation\u2014it\u2019s a movement. Whether you\u2019re a family with a story to share, a professional ready to collaborate, or a partner who believes in systemic change, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/contact-us\/\">we\u2019d love to hear from you<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">.<\/span><\/a><\/p><p>Together, we can create a future where <strong>every family thrives<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb76d1a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"eb76d1a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07cd9ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"07cd9ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/contact-us\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get in Touch<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why Iris Exists IRIS was born from a simple but powerful belief: the systems designed to support families should work for everyone, not just a fortunate few. Too often, families of children with complex needs find themselves navigating a maze of fragmented services, facing barriers that leave them isolated, exhausted, and unheard. Our mission is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1200","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1200"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1200\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1399,"href":"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1200\/revisions\/1399"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/irisfamilysupport.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}