Our Edinburgh service

Help finding childcare
If you are a single parent and would like to work, study or access training but need childcare to do that, we can help.  Our Childcare Connector Service can help you identify childcare, such as nursery, a childminder, after school cubs etc. as well as sort out how to pay for it.

We know how challenging it is to combine work or education with parenting responsibilities. It is discouraging to encounter waiting lists, lack of flexibility and the cost of childcare and we would like to help you overcome these barriers by supporting you to find funding, understand how your benefits might be affected and get you through the first month when money is tight. We believe that having the right childcare will enable you to reach your goals, achieve financial independence and take an equal part in your community.

For more details e-mail kalina.smolarska@opfs.org.uk or call / text: 07810 850830.

Overcoming barriers and getting digitally connected
We know there are lots of things that can make working or studying as a single parent difficult. We occasionally have digital devices, data and support to ensure you are not excluded from all the resources and ways to save money online. Please get in touch for more information.

Groups and activities
We know how easy it is to get isolated. Simply connecting with other single parents and making new friends can make a big difference to how you feel about yourself, how you parent and how you go forward to reach your goals.

Growing Not Waiting Project
Are you living in temporary accommodation with a child under 5 yrs? Edinburgh’s housing crisis hits single parents hard, particularly if you have left an abusive relationship and are now waiting to be housed in a permanent home. We understand the issues that can come up for you and how hard it can be for your wee one to have a normal childhood in those circumstances. We hold a ‘stay and play’ session every Tuesday for mums in homeless accommodation as well as being able to offer 1:1 support. We work closely with other agencies who specialise in housing and related issues and can help you feel more settled and confident about the future.

If you would like to find out more, contact Raji at raji.kelly@opfs.org.uk or call/text 07770350951.

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Counselling
Our Edinburgh project offers free counselling for single parents who feel this kind of one-to-one therapy would help. Counselling can provide a safe and nurturing space to understand yourself better and work through issues and make changes that promote your wellbeing. The sessions are weekly and while time limited, usually run for up to 12-16 sessions. We can accommodate you through video calls or face to face in our York Place office.

If you would like to find out more, contact Jenifer at jenifer.hamilton@opfs.org.uk or call/text 07909112036.

We know that for many single parents trying to make ends meet in difficult circumstances, things can happen that you don’t expect. Particularly when these involve expenses you didn’t plan on, it can make things feel out of control. We can support you to step back and figure out what is going to help. If it’s about money or food, we occasionally have the funding to help directly. But if not, we can support you to apply to other organisations offering grants efficiently.

Get in touch at opfsedinburgh@opfs.org.uk or call us on 0131 556 3899