Starting high school is a milestone in every child’s life, but for single parents managing two homes, it can add an extra layer of complexity. Between uniforms, homework, and coordinating schedules, it often feels like a juggling act. Based on the lived experiences of parents like us, here are some tips, insights, and solutions to help ease the load.

The insights gathered from the evaluation of the Wellbeing Workshops offer valuable perspectives on the difficulties encountered by single parents and the positive impact the project has made. In partnership with Mental Health Foundation and funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Why is SPW a CIC and What Is a CIC?

Peer led, compassionate and connected approach to being in a single parent household,, improving the mental wellbeing of single parent families.

Being part of a single parent household, the challenges are unique, diverse, and often emotionally charged. At Single Parents Wellbeing (SPW), we prioritise a compassionate and positive approach to support these unique challenges of single-parent living.

Over the past eight months Talia, the Volunteer Manager of the Youth Action Academy (YAA) has been coproducing a ‘Reverse Mentoring’ session.  This involves the young people of the Academy talking to the staff working on the Mental Health Manifesto (MHM) project about their experience of certain topics.  All of the Youth Action Academy members are from single parent households and so have a unique perspective to share with us.  

An exploration of existing literature and research into into the co-production considerations when working with children and young people in mental health and wellbeing services.

We chat with Claire Fitzsimmons,co-founder and co-director of If Lost Start Here, a wellbeing company that helps people get to a better place in life, about how her mother’s illness drove her to build a company that supports people who feel lost.

“I’m Really Glad I Spoke To You.”

A Thematic Analysis of Field Notes from April- June 2024 from the Mental Health Manifesto- Action for Our Future Project.

What young people need to thrive and in a volunteering role.

We chat with Naomi, our Ambassador Lead for Family Footsteps about her inspiration behind joining Single Parents Wellbeing, the sessions she runs and her inspiration to help you get outside with your little ones.

Our Flexible Working Policy is designed to help employees balance their work with the demands of single-parent households, offering a range of flexible options to ensure a work life balance where we thrive in the workplace and in our personal lives.

To create a healthy work environment where every team member can thrive, we have introduced the Wellness Action Plan (WAP) Policy. This structured approach helps employees manage health concerns effectively, ensuring that reasonable adjustments are made where needed, and fostering a culture of support and understanding.

Natalie Coombs, Lead service manager talks to us about Platfform, a mental health and social change charity and it’s work on the Power Up Project - providing frontline wellbeing support to young people experiencing challenges with their mental health.

Anne-Marie, Wales Development Manager talks to us about Plan International, a global children’s charity striving for a fairer world, their recent project Champions of Wales building a network of champions of equality in their communities and how they’re tackling gender based violence.

Gass talks to us about Afrizon Bespoke Service, an organisation providing information and community support for childcare and batch cooking for families and how offering respite to families in need can make a difference.

“Look what I created!” 5 Main Themes From Our Young Person’s Project.

A Thematic Analysis of Field Notes from Jan-March 2024 from the Mental Health Manifesto- Action for Our Future Project.

A couple of the SPW team are taking their first solo holidays this Summer and after reaching out to our community we had some great suggestions, advice and tips we wanted to share around taking the plunge and diving into your first solo holiday.

Emma talks to us about Place2Be, an organisation providing in-school emotional support to children and young people for 30 years. The importance of art as a way to build positive social and emotional connections and why they’re getting their trainers on in August!

This Mental Health Awareness Week, the theme is movement. In the whirlwind of single parenthood, finding moments of calm amidst the chaos can seem like an impossible feat. Yet, amidst the juggling act of raising children, managing households, and often balancing work commitments, many single parents have discovered the transformative power of movement on their mental health.

“I like it when it feels familiar, when you know one or two other people there.” 5 Main Themes From Our Young Person’s Project.

A Thematic Analysis of Field Notes from Oct-Dec 2024 from the Mental Health Manifesto- Action for Our Future Project.

Navigating Grief as a Single Parent: Practical Tips for Coping and Healing

We know how tough it can be to juggle everything on your own, and now you're dealing with the heavy weight of grief too. It's not easy, you're stronger than you think, and there are ways to get through this.