One Parent Families Scotland

Martha Mattos Coelho is a single parent and an elected member of the City of Edinburgh Council. In May 2023, she brought forward a motion at Edinburgh City Council in support of recognising Single Parents Day. The motion received unanimous support. She reflects on becoming a single mum (the joys and the challenges) and what drove her to become involved in local politics.

In this episode we talk to OPFS Head of Service, Sarah Stewart, and The Promise Scotland's Policy Lead, Chloe Riddell, about the financial impact on families when their children become looked after away from home or return from care.

Our research into the impact on family finances and the two guides mentioned in the podcast aimed at supporting practitioners and parents can be downloaded from our website at https://opfs.org.uk/policy-and-campaigns/policy-research/the-promise/

In this episode, which goes out during Pride 2023, we discuss the importance of safe spaces and specialist services for LGBTQ+ families and what mainstream organisations can do to be more inclusive of all families.

We speak to Kelly-Marie, young single mum to her 18 month old son about financial challenges of being a young parent. We also talk about challenges of securing childcare and accessing flexible employment and training opportunities. Marion Fellows shares her views on what can be done at UK and Scottish Government policy level to improve the social security system to better support young parents under 25, who currently receive a lower rate of Universal Credit than parents over 25.

Pam Duncan Glancy is the first permanent wheelchair user to become an MSP and Lindsay McCurley is a full time single parent carer for her autistic son. In this episode we explore the barriers that single parent families who have an adult or child with a disability face when accessing employment and training and discuss what needs to be done to overcome these barriers. 

In this episode, Philippa talks to Alice from the Information and Advice Service about the helpline and live chat support for single parents.

We talk to single parent, Carolyn, about caring for her son who has additional support needs, managing her own health condition and the challenges brought about by the cost of living crisis.

Listen to Cheryl and Molly speak about the family support available to single parents in Glasgow and wider support for those that live outwith the city.

Karen Adam MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast spoke with us on her experience of being a single parent and the importance of having a Scottish Parliament that is representative of the Scottish population. Also, hear Karen speak about Challenge Poverty Week and thoughts on flexible working and having access to affordable childcare.