You can help us beat loneliness for families in your area
The issue
Parenting can be stressful and lonely at the best of times, but during a pandemic, the sense of isolation is amplified when communities and support networks are shut down, or become less accessible.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Foundation recently surveyed half a million parents of children under five about the challenges of lockdown. The results showed that loneliness had dramatically increased and parents were worried about feeling cut off from support, particularly in more deprived areas.
These challenges are amplified in many single-parent families. Although single parent households are as much defined by their diversity as their similarities, many have fewer financial resources as a result of being single wage-earners and fewer emotional and social supports.
For working single parents, having schools and nurseries closed meant they had to somehow juggle working from home, with childcare and also home-schooling. Single parents are doing twice the work with half the assistance.
One in four families in the UK are headed up by a single parent, and nearly half of those – regardless of employment status live in poverty. Research (Co-op and Red Cross, 2018) suggests new mothers feel particularly isolated, with 43% of mums under 30 reporting that they feel lonely often or always. Single parents face isolation due to lack of support networks, and also stigma; the media perpetuates the ideal nuclear two-parent family, which for some can be quite alienating.
The need
Loneliness can be tackled through meaningful connections, support systems and a sense of belonging to a community. People are happiest when they know they are surrounded by people who care.
We know that it’s important for new parents to be able to meet other local people in the same position so that both parents and children can make new friends.
Parenting has no manual, so new parents can face various challenges, particularly if they are first time parents, single parents or lacking a support network.
The support bubble policy introduced in June 2020 haven’t helped everyone; some people live a long way away from family, others have older grandparents who are shielding or isolating and can’t take on childcare. This is where community services, such as One YMCA’s Family Centres in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire can really make a difference.
In normal times, our family centre services would have regular group sessions where parents can receive advice young ones can play. We have had to adapt our offering during the pandemic, taking many sessions online but we are doing everything we can to maintain a sense of belonging and deliver the same level of support to meet new parent’s needs
One YMCA’s Family Work
Natalie’s Story
Natalie’s was referred to us earlier this year with concerns about her 17-month-old son, Leo, that had led her to feel anxious. At first, she was referred to a low level of support, but it became evident from speaking with her that she was also feeling quite isolated so we adapted the support package to meet the family’s needs.
Natalie was very open with her support worker and often discussed her fears around the current Covid-19 situation. She was struggling to amuse Leo as he was missing the interaction with other children. The family case worker spoke with Natalie each week, and discussed play ideas that were then tried out.
As a young first-time mum with limited support, Natalie needed a lot of reassurance, so we upped her contact to a once-a-week phone call. We made it clear that she could come into the local family centre as soon as we are allowed to re-open and in the meantime we provided her with some resources.
We delivered (in a non-contact Covid-secure way) some vitamins for baby Leo, a baby sensory pack and some age-appropriate toys. When she received the pack Natalie said: Natalie said: “Oh my goodness, that’s absolutely amazing. I can’t believe it! Thank you so much! His whole face will light up when he sees this. I have been telling my friend how reassuring the staff at the centre have been. Thank you so much for everything you have done.”
