We run the Lone Parent Helpline - a free, independent helpline for lone parents and anyone affected by the issues surrounding one parent families.
Freephone 0808 801 0323
Do you work with Lone Parents? Would you like to refresh your knowledge on Welfare Reform and how lone parents will be affected now and in future years?
If so, then book a place on one of our Welfare Reform sessions in February and March 2012.
Preparing For the Future Workshops For Lone Parents
Wednesdays: 15th and 29th February 2012, 14th and 28th March 2012
These workshops aim to support lone parents living within Glasgow to take up employment. They aim to enable participants to identify their skills and talents, promote good interview practice and set clear action plans leading to their transition into employment. Please call: Lee Anthony 0141 847 0444 or lee.anthony@opfs.org.uk
Wednesday 7 March 2012: 10am – 12.30pm
To find out more information or to book an appointment please contact:
Choices - One Parent Families Scotland
100 Wellington St
Glasgow G2 6DH
0141 847 0444
Email: choices@opfs.org.uk
Members of the Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform have hit out at Iain Duncan Smiths recent claims that “feckless” families spend benefit on themselves rather than on their children as a cynical attempt to cover up the Coalition’s latest attack on the dignity of benefit claimants.
Maggie Kelly, of the Poverty Alliance said,
If you are interested in meeting other teenage parents and learning about your babies development with support and advice from health, early years staff and other parents, please join us for our drop in day at:
Cornerstones, Town Centre, Cumbernauld
Thursday 24th November between 1pm—3pm
For more details contact Lyndzi Burke on 07544789913 or email lyndzi.burke@opfs.org.uk
101 Project staff accompanied two parents to Edinburgh on Wednesday 16th November for the Parenting Across Scotland Parliamentary Event. The parents were able to comment on the difficulties in finding and funding suitable childcare. Leanne McDonald spoke about her own experience of having to work part-time to afford childcare to allow her to attend university. Claire Gardiner also spoke about how without the support she receives from Working for Families she would be unable to afford childcare for her 2 young children to allow her to attend college.
STV have been busy visiting various offices of One Parent Families Scotland presenting cheques on behalf of the STV Appeal 2011.
The Scottish Mentoring Network celebrated success this year with an award ceremony held at the organisation’s annual conference. Sandra White, MSP presented the awards to 13 projects, recognising exceptional contributions to mentoring across the country. OPFS North Lanarkshire Teen Pregnancy Project received a Highly Commended Award. Margaret McTaggart and Lyndzi Burke from OPFS were there to receive the award.
http://www.scottishmentoringnetwork.co.uk/scottish-mentoring-news-more.p...
Childcare@home Aberdeenshire and the OPFS Annual Seminar received some welcome news coverage on Thursday 03 November's edition of STV News at Six - Aberdeen. The relevant segment can be found at 06:05 into the programme, which can be seen on the STV Player website.
The presentations given at the OPFS Annual Seminar 2011 are now available for download.
From October 2011, Jobcentre Plus started writing to lone parents who are not working and whose youngest child is age 5 or 6.