News

GOOD NEWS AND FUTURE EVENTS

CHILDREN IN NEED – The Family Centre has been awarded £5345 to improve the garden space and buy equipment and resources for outside play.

BBC Radio 2 – One of our young parents spoke to BBC Radio 2 about the difficulties young parents face. The interview will be broadcast on 31st March at 11.30am.

Parents meeting – The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 9th March from 1pm.

Are your kids driving you nuts – We are holding four coffee afternoons to allow parents and staff to share ideas and support in dealing with the challenges that children

Opportunity for Lone Parents

Dates for 2010
9th - 26th March & 25th May - 11th June 2010

In Partnership with Barclaycard, and local service providers, One Parent Families Scotland “Choices” service is running a unique work placement programme.

Lone Parent Work Placement Programme
• Boost confidence and explore work options
• Build skills for returning to work
• Gain practical experience in a real work place
• Meet with others
• Receive advice, information and support with local services

Can we help you?

Today we published the report "Young Parents: A Better Start - an integrated approach to policy and practice". This is based on the seminar which we held jointly with Aberlour in January 2009, funded by a grant from Parenting Across Scotland. It will be of interest to all agencies working with young parents.

It also coincides with the publication of a new book: "Teenage parenthood: What's the Problem?" by Claire Alexander, Simon Duncan and Rosalind Edwards.

On 4th February, the NUS (National Union of Students) held an event at the Scottish Parliament to launch their campaign for more support for childcare costs for parents in further and higher education, a campaign strongly supported by OPFS

The Scottish Government have launched a campaign for parents to "just ask" for help with any additional support needs that their children or young people may have in relation to their education

We are looking for a volunteer experienced in using Microsoft Access to design a database for recording the work we do with families.

We are currently looking for additional Board members who live in the Central Belt and who are not working full time. Members with knowledge of finance or experience in personnel matters would be particularly welcome. Board meetings are 6 times a year on Thursday afternoons. Anyone interested should contact Sue Robertson at our HQ office.

OPFS have a new Business Development Officer in post. Barbara Boertien started with us on 6th January 2010 and will be based in the Choices office in Glasgow. Barbara can be contacted through the Choices office on 0141 847 0444

We are looking for a Treasurer to join our Board and to take part in our Finance Sub group. Finance meetings are held early evening in Edinburgh approximately quarterly and Board meetings are held 6 times a year on Thursday afternoons. If you would be interested in helping us, please contact Rachael Gibbins, Finance and Personnel Manager. Please note that the Treasurer is not expected to attend all Board meetings.

On 18th November OPFS held a 65th anniversary Parliamentary Reception, hosted by Joe Fitzpatrick MSP and addressed by Alex Neil, Minister for Housing and Communities. The Parliament also passed a member's motion congratulating OPFS on our anniversary. Parents who use OPFS services spoke movingly of the difference our help had made to their lives.