Posted: 07.07.2005
Immediate Release

As The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) doubles its funding for the national, free Lone Parent Helpline, Scotland's 151,000 single parents are being offered a checklist of Ten Top Survival tips - covering key areas such as childcare, flexible working rights, dealing with loneliness, financial entitlements and housing. Produced by charities One Parent Families, One Parent Families Scotland and One Plus and RBS, the Top Tips aim to give pointers on single parents' most pressing concerns.

RBS is providing £1 million to back the charities' free Lone Parent Helpline, enabling them to expand its reach with evening sessions to allow single parents to call at a time that is convenient for them.

Since its launch in 2002, the helpline has taken over 64,000 calls from single parents needing help, many of whom have been through family break-ups and need accurate and independent information fast. In Scotland alone, there are 151,000 mums and dads raising their children single-handedly and latest estimates suggest there are 1.8 million one parent families nationally. The charities anticipate that by 2008, the new funding will enable them to take 40,000 calls annually, almost doubling their current capacity.

Stephen Moir, Community Investment Manager at The Royal Bank of Scotland Group said: "Lone parents are among the most vulnerable groups in society and have specific advice needs. The Lone Parent Helpline is a lifeline to many, offering support and practical advice to the one in four British families now headed by a single parent. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is committed to supporting lone parents as part of its co-ordinated approach to promoting financial inclusion."

Director of One Parent Families Scotland Sue Robertson said: "Access to the right information is crucial for single parents, however they came to be raising their children alone. But often parents tell us they don't know where to turn. Thanks to the generosity of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, we will be able to expand our helpline services and get help to many more of the families who need it most."

Lone parents can reach the Lone Parent Helpline on 0808 801 0323 - Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm - or visit www.loneparenthelpline.info where the Top Survival Tips are available.

Press Contacts:

Ian Maxwell, One Parent Families Scotland: 0131 557 7892 / 07887 500 667
Marion Davis, One Plus: 0141 333 1450
Jane Ahrends, One Parent Families: 020 7428 5416 / 0788 195 1138
Fiona MacRae , The Royal Bank of Scotland Group: 0131 523 5659 / 07867 750927

Notes To Editors:

Lone Parent Organisations

In Scotland, One Plus and One Parent Families Scotland operate the Lone Parent Helpline and offer a wide range of other services for lone parents, including local support, publications, employment projects, mentoring and childcare.

In England and Wales, One Parent Families is the leading national charity representing single parents and their children, providing them with direct services and campaigning on their behalf. In addition to the Freephone Lone Parent Helpline - on 0808 801 0323 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) - it runs an online, interactive Helpdesk. It has long-established expertise in running employment programmes for single parents, working with private, statutory and other voluntary sector organisations to deliver these.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) has committed £1.5 million to support the charities' free Lone Parent Helpline since its launch in 2002. In three years of operations, the helpline has fielded over 64,000 calls on issues such as managing debt and child support. In addition to funding the Lone Parent Helpline, RBS sponsors a range of publications produced by the charities which cover topics like returning to work or education, benefits and financial issues after separation and are free to single parents who call the Lone Parent Helpline.

In 2004, RBS contributed £46 million to local communities across the UK. The three principal elements to the Group's Community Investment Programme are Education, Employment & Enterprise and Employee Giving. The Programme focuses on helping excluded young people and communities realise their potential.
For further information on RBS group's Community Investment activities visit www.rbs.co.uk/community

Top Ten Tips for Lone Parents (Scotland)

www.opfs.org.uk/helpdesk/top_ten_tips.php