Black single parents and peer support in Wales

Shakira Morka, research intern at the Mental Health Foundation, in partnership with Single Parents Wellbeing, spoke with 18 single parents in Wales from diverse ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to uncover some of the reasons behind the barriers to accessing support.

In the UK, around one in four families are headed by a single parent, with nearly two-fifths living in poverty. Single parent households often face higher levels of stress, loneliness and stress than couple-parent households. Countless single parents describe the emotional, physical and financial toll that managing things alone takes. These pressures often lead to higher levels of stress and loneliness than in couple-parent households. 

Sadly, for Black and Black-mixed single parent families, these pressures are often amplified by racial inequalities. Peer support, like that offered by Single Parents Wellbeing, is based on shared lived experience.  Run by single parents for single parents, it allows people to come together, support one another in both a practical and emotional sense, and has been shown to be able to improve the wellbeing of numerous parents across Wales.  However, access to services across various sectors remains unequal across both regional and racial lines.

Therefore, in partnership with Single Parents Wellbeing, we listened to the voices of 18 single parents in Wales from diverse ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to uncover some of the reasons behind these barriers. We explored the challenges Black parents face in accessing peer support and their recommendations for change.  Through these conversations, we have heard a wide range of experiences, from the joys of parenting to the struggles.  Three key themes emerged: Representation, Finances and Trust.

Representation

Parents described stigma and discrimination that often left them feeling misunderstood and unheard. Some said existing services did not reflect or respect their lived experiences. Others felt unseen both as single parents and due to their race, navigating identities rarely acknowledged together. They called for inclusive spaces that value lived experience and centre the voices of those they aim to support. 

Simultaneously, parents cautioned against assuming that all families face the same challenges. Peer support built on generalisations or overly narrow groupings can unintentionally exclude those it hopes to reach. Within both Black communities and single-parent families, experiences vary widely by faith, gender, migration, and class. Understanding these intersections is essential to providing relevant, inclusive support.

This need for representation extended to children too. Parents of mixed-Black children spoke about the importance of their children seeing themselves reflected in their communities. When representation was missing, some described their children feeling culturally isolated, especially when separated from wider Black communities.

Financial strain

“Money is the biggest problem as a single parent,” said one mother, a sentiment widely shared. Managing essentials like transport, school costs, and childcare alone, often without support, was a major source of stress. Others described difficulties finding stable work due to inflexible hours, limited opportunities, or discrimination linked to their names or backgrounds.

For migrant parents, these pressures were exacerbated by visa restrictions or No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) conditions, limiting access to support even for those in work. These overlapping challenges show how race, migration status, and single parenthood combine to deepen financial hardship.

Financial insecurity is closely linked to poorer mental health. When families must choose between essentials, the emotional impact can be tremendous. Without addressing economic barriers and embedding practical help, such as childcare or transport, peer support risks excluding those who need it most.

Trust

Parents valued support built on genuine relationships, often found in community-led spaces run by people who understood their experiences. For many, trust determined whether they chose to engage or withdraw. Several described turning to local community groups instead of statutory services due to negative past experiences.

Trust must be earned, not assumed. Historical and ongoing mistreatment of marginalised groups shapes how services are perceived. Some parents questioned how their information would be used after our conversations, demonstrating an acute awareness of how organisations can exploit rather than empower communities. Others spoke of promises made but never fulfilled, highlighting the need for transparency, accountability, and genuine follow-through.

Peer support in Wales

Across Wales, community-led organisations such as the African Community Centre and Single Parents Wellbeing are already doing vital work to support families through life’s highs and lows. But without visibility, adequate resources, and systemic change, many parents continue to face these challenges without the support they deserve. Trust, representation, and financial inclusion must be central to peer support, not as afterthoughts, built in collaboration with the communities they serve.

As a result of the focus group discussion, SPW now offers a Journalling workshop and an accompanying WhatsApp group for parents of black and mixed heritage children. Become a member to find out more.

By Shakira Morka, Mental Health Foundation Research Intern, Wales

You can read the full report by Shakira and David Zhika here.