Gingerbread – a charity that offers help and support to single parents.
Gingerbread define themselves as “a society in which single parent families are valued and where they (and their children) are treated equally and fairly”.
Gingerbread have a fantastic website full of useful practical advice on a wide range of issues that affect single parents in the UK, including work and money issues, as well as areas of family law.
Clear and informative ‘factsheets’ can be found on their website which offer advice such as: ‘How to get legal help’, ‘Action to take when a relationship ends’ and ‘Advice for parents who don’t live with their children’.
The charity also has a free helpline which provides support and expert advice on anything from dealing with a break-up, to going back to work or sorting out maintenance, benefit or tax credit issues. They also offer advice on specific child issues, such as maintenance and contact.
The online forums area also a useful tool for anyone seeking advice on family issues. You can hear from a wide range of other people going through a similar experience, picking up tips and support along the way.
Gingerbread operated all over England and they have a network of single parent members who meet up to offer each other support and advice. Look on their website to see if there is a local group meeting near you.
Their useful services are:
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informative fact sheets for all types of issues
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online forums to talk to people in similar situations
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a free phone line that is open Monday to Friday
You can find the Gingerbread website here.
It is open at the following times:
- Mondays: 10am to 6pm
- Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays: 10am to 4pm
- Wednesdays: 10am-1pm and 5pm-7pm.