Self-care is vital for any person in role that requires us to support another.  Having the ability to empathise on a deeper level is sometimes what drives us to these roles.  This means we are at a higher risk of burnout or compassion fatigue.  Knowing our limits is the key to preventing these from occurring.

Have you become aware that you are using alcohol or substances more frequently than you used to? Or perhaps you have noticed that you are thinking about alcohol or substances a lot over recent weeks or months.

Are you aware that you are withdrawing from your family or aware that you are becoming less open and truthful about how much you are drinking or using.

Mental health, is a statement that seems to be ever present at the moment, but what does that really mean?  Or maybe the question could be, what does it mean to you?

Please take a minute to think about what the term mental health means to you, maybe jot down what you would say if someone were to ask, 

“Hey, how is your mental health?”

Now, let’s start with what the definition is.

Domestic Abuse is a very topical subject, one where its unusual to find someone who doesn’t have knowledge of at least one other person whose life has been affected by domestic abuse.

If you are reading this blog you may feel that there is something not quite right in your relationship or in your home life. Maybe you are feeling stuck, afraid, worried…

If that’s the case, then read on, hopefully the content may help you to get some support, safety and to know that you are not alone.

This grey rock method has been tried and tested by one of our single parent members, who has summarised all the best bits from everything that she has read and put into practice. This amazingly powerful resource is for people dealing with difficult and toxic people and the writer found it invaluable along with the services of Atal y Fro.

Have you got fond memories of being read to, escaping into books or would you not be seen dead with a book in your hand?Whatever your experience, I can promise the benefits of reading together with your child far outweigh any negatives. This is why I wanted to start with why reading matters, before moving in to books I use in my Play Therapy practice and at home with my son. Reading means that children are introduced to people and families that do and don’t look like them. Their minds are broadened, their ideas sharpened and their potentials and possibilities unlocked. If you’re not a big reading fan, audio books TOGETHER and read aloud on YouTube (other streaming channels are available!) will have a similar effect.

At the beginning of 2019 we received funding from Comic Relief to kick start a venue for SPW and to create some workshops and activities to hold there. Of course Covid has put a spanner in the this, but we moved quickly and most of the workshops and social meet ups moved online. However, we did manage to hold some workshops and meet ups in our lovely ‘cwtch’.

We wanted to celebrate and tell you more information about Mental Health Foundation. We have partnered with MHF right from the start of SPW. They have really supported us to shape and move forward what we do with a focus on mental health. They really are the gurus of mental health in our eyes, and have so many great projects and ways to get involved. For mental health awareness week this year the theme is Nature and the Environment, which we can’t wait for!

We asked our amazing single parent members what advise they had for other single parents as we enter into the world of homeschooling again during this pandemic. We hope you will find comfort in their words of wisdom and be able to pick up some useful advise and resources. We’ve rounded them up into our 7 top tips. We have also included a section around the advise from teachers and for SEN children.

If you are nutty about branding like us then you will have seen that we have updated our whole brand, including new fonts, colours and of course amazing new logo.

Knowing how we can easily decide any need our child has as being directly linked to our relationship status, I shared some ideas and information about the outcomes of children from separated households and took questions from the group. Thank you all for being so open and bringing so much experience! What follows is a summary for anyone who might not have been able to come along.

I've been a member of SPW for the last few years, and have found the group a huge support. More recently, I've helped some of our single parents through my work by helping them to buy their own homes, buy out exes, remortgage and straighten out their finances using the equity in their homes. Many of those conversations have started with "I don't think I will be able to....", so I've started a series of blogs on lending issues that are likely to arise post Covid. I know first hand that single parents often feel these pinches more than anyone. This first blog is about mortgage lending with adverse credit, which is often more possible than people realise.

We play as children throughout our development, so why, as we grow up, do we stop having all the fun and games? Life becomes busy, stressful and we have excessive responsibilities. So sometimes, we forget what it is or what it’s like to just let go a little. BUT the importance of taking time for ourselves, is one of the main ways to keep our mental health on track! Fortunately for us, the development of games were introduced to help people reduce stress. Wellbeing First let’s talk about wellbeing.

After First Minister, Mark Drakeford’s announcement on Friday many single parents were relieved that they had been considered and listened to during this pandemic. It had high hopes of making them feel, less isolated, lonely, more seen and understood. However, the current announcement left many single parents feeling worse.

Even before this pandemic research consistently showed that single parents are likely to experience loneliness and isolation. Loneliness and isolations has always been a big issue for single parents and something that is brought up over and over again with SPW members. 

Even before this pandemic research consistently showed that single parents are likely to experience loneliness and isolation. Loneliness and isolations has always been a big issue for single parents and something that is brought up over and over again with SPW members. 

As part of the Move More Eat Well project we gathered some of our best recipes to share. Which are both healthy and quick. Plus include some takes on our favourite meals. Check out the tortilla pizza and one pot bolognese, both genius recipes.

There is alot of information and continuously changing rules and guidelines around Covid-19. We have collected some links and useful information for single parents in Wales to access around coparenting, contact and where they stand with all of this. 

Who would have believed it? There is no doubt that the Coronavirus pandemic has taken us all by surprise. Even those who should have been better informed on the risk of a pandemic sweeping the globe have been caught out! (Coronavirus: World must prepare for pandemic, says WHO).