|
Willowfield
Community Association in east Belfast is setting up the Home
Alone project to try to address some of the many complex social,
physical and spiritual needs of the people in the local area.
We are a voluntary community association, recognised as a
charity by the Inland Revenue (Reference Number XR64196),
and operating in association with Willowfield Church of Ireland.
The
Lone Parent Problem
The
percentage of teenage mothers in the area is 3 times the South
and East Belfast Trust average, and the number of children
living in lone parent homes is well over double the SEBT average.
One of the local primary schools reports that over 50% of
its children register only one parent on school forms. This
is in addition to others who have registered two parents at
two separate addresses.
It
is obvious to even a casual observer that many mothers are
struggling on their own to raise their children as they face
an all-too-common sense of defeat, helplessness, hopelessness
and despair. Their circumstances do not equip them to fully
support their own children or make positive choices for their
future, which perpetuates a vicious cycle of suffering relationships,
family instability and a poor quality of life. The children
of each succeeding generation are growing up without any sense
of respect for authority, education, property or people, and
they are prime targets to be swept in as the new recruits
in the paramilitary organisations.
We
recognise the social and practical needs these women face,
and the high demand for programmes (with child-care provision)
that will inform, support, and empower them in their lone
parent role. Their needs are demanding and complex. Many require
the support of specialists, which, as a community association,
we cannot provide alone.
We
have already established regular contact with many of the
lone parents living in the immediate area, and we we have
relationships with other specialist agencies in the area,
as well as local social and probation services, so that their
direction is available as problems arise.
Our
Objectives
We
aim to befriend lone parents and guardians and provide support,
facilities, and advice, which we believe will enable them
to achieve a better quality of family life. Lone parents in
the area include both adults and teenagers, so we are sensitive
to the different issues they face and seek to know them individually
and address their needs in appropriate
ways.
How
will we do this?
Working
in partnership with other groups as appropriate, we will:
• Set up a pilot lone parent support group and a befriending
scheme
• Run courses in parenting skills, debt and money management,
personal development, and vocational skills
• Provide applications and referrals for partnering
services providers
What
are the benefits for Link-Up for Lone Parents participants?
Link-Up
for Lone Parents will:
• Help build self-esteem and confidence in lone parents
and enable them to make better choices for themselves and
their children by providing parenting skills training and
support and encouragement for teenage mums to continue in
their education
• Address issues of loneliness, stress, and depression
by providing friendship, counselling, role models, and practical
support
• Help improve quality of life for lone parents and
their families by providing relief from their struggling
and stress
How will we know that Link-Up for Lone Parents is helping?
|
