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NORFOLK’S LONE PARENTS NO LONGER ALONE Thousands of lone parent
families suffering isolation throughout Norfolk are being thrown a
lifeline with the launch of a new dynamic Gingerbread group for Norwich
and Norfolk. With nearly 17,000 lone
parent families in the region, it is often difficult for lone parents to
meet and for their children to play together and share
experiences. “Bringing up children on
your own with the everyday responsibility resting on one set of shoulders
can be very stressful” said Julie Briggs, chairperson of Norwich and
Norfolk Gingerbread. “And
when you are going through the most responsible period of your life, you
can find yourself very isolated with nobody to share ideas, vent anxieties
or even share your child’s new and exciting developments with. Gingerbread aims to provide
company, fun activities, support and advice to lone parent families all
over Norfolk.” Members of Gingerbread
Norwich and Norfolk will benefit from weekly meetings at Cloverhill
Community Centre in Bowthorpe with toys and crafts for toddlers, games and
music for young children and pool, table tennis, drinks and snacks for
teenagers. Parents can make
new friends, enjoy company and support each other. There will also be
organised trips to family events every month throughout the year, access
to free financial and legal advice and parents’ evenings. The new branch of Gingerbread has been set up by volunteers Jenny Blade from Caister, Julie Briggs from Hethersett, and Louise Watts from Norwich – all are lone parents who were motivated through isolation. Jenny Blade, Branch
Treasurer and mother-of-two, said:
“We would urge all lone parents to become members and take
advantage of all the offers through the year. The more members we have the more
we can offer. There is nothing to lose and only friendship and support to
gain. “ Annual membership costs
£5. For further details call
Julie on 01603 810609 or come along to the launch opening day at
Cloverhill Community Centre on July 5 between 2pm and 4pm. All lone parents will be very
welcome. Notes
to editors: For more
information or media interviews with lone parents contact Julie Briggs on
07753 822 050
Statistics from National Statistics http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/ (last data update 2001). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
