Fife Gingerbread supports lone parents during lockdown

Fife Gingerbread have been supporting parents during the coronavirus pandemic through phone calls, social media, email and online Zoom calls to ensure that families get they help that they need.

Since the start of lockdown, staff have delivered play and care packages whilst communicating face to face with families online, learned Tik-Tok dances, read stories and sent out cooking videos to help families.

Bikes and school equipment have also been sourced by staff at the charity for families, and they have been directed to much needed financial support during the pandemic.

Colin, who is a lone parent, has been in lockdown with his daughter Everlea said: “It was a bit tricky at the start. We had a few low moments but luckily I had my mum here to help, and since then things have picked up.

“We are having so much fun watching Bookbug Live every Friday, and I like tuning into Fife’s Sunday Sessions’ live show on Facebook.

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“Everlea has come on so much in the last few weeks. She is lifting her head up, she is sleeping through the night, and now she has a tooth ready to come though - as if lockdown couldn't get any more fun!"

Jade (19), who is a young parent who has been receiving support from Fife Gingerbread with her four-month old daughter, Lyla, since January.

She said: “One of my biggest worries during this pandemic is not being able to give my baby a good summer and first year.

“She gets more mobile every day and I feel like she is missing out on all the things my partner and I had planned for the three of us.

“I have realised that my mood has been low multiple times during the last two months. To combat it, I have been doing a whole bunch of things to try to lift my spirits. I make a day to day to do list, I bake once a week with my partner. His mum and brother bake too, so we make a little competition out of it.

Jacqui Hardie, executive strategic manager said: “Loneliness and isolation can touch anyone, as the past few months have shown.

“In lockdown, Fife Gingerbread could not run our tea-time groups, our coffee mornings, our baby massage classes. We could not meet families and hold our confidence classes for our parents. These projects give structure to parents and children and have proven to make real positive impact.

“We had to provide that support from a distance, and we did it well. We will continue to adapt our support as the guidelines change to ensure the best outcomes for our families.

“This is the beginning of a journey to the new normal - we don’t have a map or sat nav, but we know where we want to go.

“The resilience our families have shown by sharing play ideas and getting involved with online groups has been incredible. I am so proud of them and our staff.”

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