Engaging single parents

‘In life, what sometimes appears to be the end is really a new beginning’

Growth in South Cheshire

One bright sunny morning in August 1997 I got together with six other single mums to discuss starting a local group.

The initial months were both exciting and rewarding. The isolation we’d previously felt was gone, and we enjoyed picnics, swimming, rollerblading (well, the kids did!) and visits to the ice cream farm. It’s really OK to smile and laugh and treat yourselves sometimes. We appreciated the fellowship, prayer and support.

Numbers grew as we contacted churches and parents within a 25-mile radius. Then some of us felt that we should begin to reach out to other single parents in the wider community of South Cheshire.

The Baptist church in Crewe provided accommodation, and so we started a weekly drop-in centre in January 1998. A friend produced publicity, and after a quiet and gradual beginning, the lounge was soon buzzing with parents enjoying a chat over coffee. Babies bounced around on brightly-coloured cushions while older pre-schoolers enjoyed the structured play of a crèche.

It was wonderful to hear laughter as well as serious conversation taking place, and trained church workers provided a confidential listening service.

Gradually, we made contact with other family support organisations such as NSPCC, Homestart and Women’s Aid. Alongside training provided by the Tackling Disadvantage department of the borough council and support from Cheshire County Parenting Initiative, we were introduced to parenting programmes and the community provision for computing and first-aid courses at the local college.

We weren’t only feeling supported and empowered ourselves - we were also seeing others regain their confidence and self esteem as they felt valued and accepted.

Several parents became volunteers and we were able to develop a thrifty shop of good quality clothes, and a lending library to support our vital funds. Funding has enabled days out – we’ve tried our hand at canoeing skills, and experienced the delights of Chester Zoo and the coast.

We started as a small group of friends, but by 2002 we had become a recognised organisation in the local community, with four part-time staff. In 2003 we applied for and obtained charitable status. This has given us greater accountability and credibility within the South Cheshire area, which has increased funding opportunities and given other agencies confidence when making referrals to us.

As a result, access to our service has extended and widened, and we supported over 50 families last year. We have also been able to employ a part-time children’s support worker and part-time administration assistant.

Since then we have seen people move on, go to college, get degrees, become counsellors and social workers, move into childcare and give smiles from behind a coffee shop counter. It’s wonderful to see confidence and self worth restored.

If someone had told me on that sunny morning in 1997 that I’d end up co-ordinating a charity I’d have run a mile! It’s been a lot of hard work but a lot of fun too.

Angie Bartlett
Project Co-ordinator, South Cheshire CLASP

Click to find out more about Care for the Family's Single Parent Family project.

Last Updated 13 December 2010