About us

SPAN UK is a broad umbrella organisation representing the diversity of one

parent families across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Our membership includes small self-help groups, individual single parents, large charitable organisations and all kinds of one parent family support groups. Our members may be divorced, separated, never married, heterosexual, lesbian, gay, disabled and from many different backgrounds and cultures.

What we can offer you

Here to Help You Develop

If you are thinking of setting up a group, or would like to develop your group further, our development office is here to help. We provide advice, guidance, online training courses and publications designed to empower, strengthen and sustain your group. Call Jacquie for further information.

Bringing Single Parents and Groups Together

Link-up events can be organised throughout the UK to bring single parents and groups together to share experiences, ideas and information. Perhaps you are also interested in diversity and participation training? Call Shannon for more details.

Funding for Groups

The following small grants are available for majority single parent self-help groups that wish to improve the lives of one parent families:

Link-Up Grants

Available for groups throughout the UK, including Northern Ireland. Grants of up to £1,000 can be used to provide an information service, set up an internet access project, to hold information exchange days or run training events. Call Jacquie.

Parenting Support Awards

Available for self-help groups in disadvantaged areas of England and Wales to develop parenting

support programmes. Groups may apply for grants of up to £1,000. Call Annie.

Network Support Awards

Available for self-help groups in parts of England and Wales who want to link-up and share good

practice, information, life experiences, cultural knowledge, and for health and well being activities. Groups may apply for grants of up to £2,500. Call Shannon.

Phone us on 0117 951 4231

Single Parent? Need to Talk…

Our information office offers information and signposting for isolated single parents in disadvantaged areas. We can help you find support for any issue concerning you or your family, including local self-help groups. Call Annie on 0845 450 0399 (local call rate).

If you are a support organisation or group that would like us to give out your details to single parents in need, call Sorrel to discuss SPAN membership.

Online? Join Our Community

A great place for single parents and self-help groups to share ideas and gain support, this interactive website covers topics such as health and well being, parenting and money management. Visit www.singleparents.org.uk. Would your group or support organisation like to be included on our website? Call Chris for details.

Our FREE Magazine

Join SPAN and receive our 4 monthly newsletter Spangle, packed with news and information on groups, publications, funding, events, training courses, and holidays. Useful for single parents, self-help groups and organisations. Call Sorrel to receive your copy.

Volunteering for SPAN UK

Our volunteers play an integral role in the running and development SPAN UK. Volunteering is proven to be a highly successful way of gaining new skills that are invaluable to the workplace, a way of making new friends and gaining support. We are proud of our volunteers, and are always happy to welcome more to the team. Call Annie for more details.

A Dedicated Committee

SPAN UK is run by a National Co-ordinating Committee of volunteer single parents who represent self-help groups across the UK. Six places reserved for black members and six for white members ensures that equality and diversity are deeply embedded in SPAN’s structural decision-making processes. If you have experience of managing organisations and would like to be nominated as a committee member, contact our Director Sue Cohen.

Lobbying and Campaigning

SPAN UK works hard to raise awareness of poverty, improve childcare and campaign on issues that affect the lives of one parent families. A range of anti-poverty partnerships, including those with Oxfam UK and the UK Coalition Against Poverty, ensures that the voice of people in poverty is heard in decision-making arenas. To have your say on policies that affect you call Sue.

Model Study Centre

The SPAN Study Centre operates as a holistic service to single parents in Bristol, offering a range of support including personal development and IT courses, young mums’ groups, quality on-site and home-based childcare, and mobile crèche services. Call Abeje on the Study Centre phone number 0117 9520626.

Phone us on 0117 951 4231