Sophia became a single parent when her daughter was four. She first joined SPW in 2019 and found connection that carried her through the loneliness of early single parenthood and the challenges of lockdown.

Zoe became a single parent in 2015 and says the first two years were “pure survival.” For years she avoided SPW, telling herself she wasn’t a “proper” single parent, but when she finally attended in 2019, she realised: “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”

Through SPW, Naomi has gone from feeling alone to building community. She now organises Family Footsteps, a monthly meetup in the park where children can play while parents connect. These events help her as much as others - they give her a reason to get out, to meet people who understand, and to see her children mix with other single parent families.

As single parents, we understand that transitions between two homes can be challenging for children. Many parents in our community have shared their experiences of supporting their children through big emotions when they return from their other parent’s house. Here are some tried-and-tested tips from parents like you, to help children feel supported, safe, and settled during these times.

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.

I’m A Single Parent, Are You? Types Of Single Parents, Defined By Single Parent

Mother's Day can be a mix of emotions for single parents. Whether you're navigating this day for the first time solo or looking for ways to make it special, there are plenty of ways to create meaningful moments with your children. Here are some tips and ideas gathered from our single parent community who have been through it themselves:

Drawing from the invaluable insights and advice from our SPW members, we wanted to give some hope and insight for those at the beginning of their journey. We delve into the emotional nuances of the early days of single parenthood versus the wisdom gained over time.

The Connecting Creatively project, funded and in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, focuses on fostering creativity and strengthening bonds within families. Using a trauma informed approach. Participants share positive experiences, emphasising the value of dedicated time for creative activities.

Focusing on mental health volunteering, we delve into the success stories and strategies that have proven effective in sustaining and expanding this impactful initiative. Retaining and including single parent volunteers for long-term impact.

Statistics Around Single Parents, Mental Health And The Importance Of Peer Support

A time of year when everything from adverts to advent calendars send messages about how we should all be happy and enjoy the time with our families.

In reality Christmas can be fraught for a whole host of reasons. You may have bad memories from childhood; finances may be stretched; you may be on a pattern of co-parenting that means you miss out on special times; or you may not have a support network around you to ease the emotional load; and let's not forget social anxiety.

This World Mental Health Day we are calling on Government and funders to put a priority on organisations that support single parents and listen to their voices around the disproportionate impact that the cost of living crisis, stigma and covid has had and continues to have on single parents mental health and wellbeing.

At the heart of everything that SPW does is coproduction and a peer led approach. Most of our team are single parents, we get all of our ideas from our members and we recognise how much wealth of knowledge and experience that there is the group. Therefore, if you come on board as a volunteer then we wanted you to get on board with what a peer led approach is.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to being a single-dad because each one of us is going through something very different to the next person. As every wave that breaks on the beautiful Welsh coastline is contrasting in size, shape and power so every relationship break-up and the emotions and issues that arise from them are just as contrasting. The following is a tiny piece of my story and some tips for other single dads.

SPW have been awarded £900,472 by The National Lottery Community Fund to lead on an exciting new project funded called A Mental Health Manifesto- Action for our future.

This project is in partnership with Public Health Wales, Swansea University, Mental Health Foundation and Heads Above the Waves.

We are sharing the stories of single parents, that all single parents will have a similar story to share. One of those stories that you have to laugh or you’ll cry at!

This week, Chris shares his story about one of the first times that he took his children to the beach as a single parent.