Gingerbread a leading national charity working to help the UK's 2 million single parents and their children

Who we are

Gingerbread is the leading national charity working to help the UK's 2 million single parents and their children. We believe in a fairer society for all families, in which people bringing up children on their own are recognised for their positive contributions and where they and their families can thrive and enjoy equal opportunities financially and socially.

What do we aim to do?

Our aim is to reduce the number of lone parents across Essex who are not in employment or accessing education opportunities and to increase their readiness to participate in the labour market.

This project will help them to feel a greater sense of wellbeing and to be more positive about their future prospects.

We will target lone parents who have complex barriers to participation and who may have difficulty engaging with 'mainstream' provision. We will do this through one-to-one mentoring support with the aim of producing a personal development plan for each participant. They will be able to access activities which support their personal development, improve their employability skills and increase confidence in their ability to progress on to positive destinations.

How will the support be offered?

With the help of a dedicated Project Officer, participants will be supported in the following ways:

- Access to work experience and volunteering opportunities

- Workshops to develop employment skills

- Assistance with training and education course applications

- Helping to engage and inspire

- Build CV's and preparation for interview

- One to one coaching and mentoring to build confidence and motivation

- Produce a regularly reviewed progression plan setting out ambitious and achievable goals

- Impartial advice and guidance

How long will support last for?

The length of time a single parent can spend on the programme is dependent on the parent's needs. This can be negotiated with each parent

What are the eligibility criteria?


- Must be a single parent

- Must be unemployed or economically inactive

Additional benefit:

Parents have instant access to the Marks & Starts Training Programme which includes a two week work placement with M&S.

Contact Project Officers from Gingerbread

Gordan Malcolm
Phone: 07538 575078
Email: gordon.malcolm@gingerbread.org.uk

Rebecca Fitzgerald
Phone: 07538 575046
Email: rebecca.fitzgerald@gingerbread.org.uk

Website: http://www.gingerbread.org.uk