When we talk about family, we often picture a nuclear image: two parents, a couple of children, a shared home. But for many young people, that image doesn’t reflect their reality.

That’s what inspired the “What Does Your Family Look Like?” pilot project. At networking events SPW staff noticed how uncomfortable some young people felt when conversations turned to their home life.

Winners of last years Mental Health and Wellbeing Awards, Angela from Cardiff Wellbeing Support Services chats to us about what they can offer single parents in Cardiff.

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?”

Our Raise Van is a Connection Café on Wheels — a mobile community project designed to reduce loneliness, provide holistic wellbeing support, and build community through something as simple (and powerful) as a cuppa and a chat.

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.

After being faced with poor mental health and the loss of a friend, Jaylo launched Many Downs Time To Get Up - a suicide prevention service aiming to support those struggling with their mental health. He chats to us about the vision behind Many Downs Time To Get Up as well as the benefits of spending time with animals on your mental health.

“All of the young people were really engaged and seemed too really enjoy themselves.” The Main Themes from our Mental Health Manifesto Project from Jan-March 2025

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.

Linda tells us about Gobaith Clothing Project and their work to get sustainable, suitable clothing to those experiencing financial difficulty in South Wales through their motto of Hope and Dignity.

This Pride Month we chatted with Toni at GoodVibes about the events and support they offer young people in the LGBTQIA+ Community in Swansea.

Following a fabulous information session with Clare at The Multiply Project we chatted about what The Multiply Project offers and how our community can benefit from their courses.

We chat with Helene Pello from the Cathays Community Centre about their Aubegine Cafe, Community Fridge and upcomig Maitland Festival a celebration of arts, dance and music for the local community.  

Welcoming someone to an event might seem like a small thing, but for someone new, it can change everything. A smile, a friendly face, and a warm hello can make the difference between feeling anxious and feeling like they belong.

SPW wants to thank and value volunteers by offering both rewards and personal thanks. Each part of the programme gives different ways to celebrate and support what volunteers do. Everything has been planned together with single parent volunteers.

In honour of Pride this month, James Lindsay (our Youth Action Academy member)  has written an informative blog covering the history and reasons why millions of people around the world stand with people in Pride. 

This Pride Month and ahead of School Diversity Week we speak with Lily from Just Like Us about the incredible resources and services they have for parents, carers, schools and young people.

Coproduction is a way of working where power is shared, people are heard, and decisions are made together, not handed down.

In this blog we explore what meaningful coproduction really looks like. Here are some insights that go beyond buzzwords to address the reality of working with communities.

We created an event co-produced with our young people purely to celebrate Intergenerational Week. The two suggestions were to have some form of competition involving games and the second was to provide a pamper session for those who wanted to relax and take time out.