Vital support from Glasgow City Council
One Parent Families Scotland life saving work with single parent families in Glasgow receives vital support from Glasgow City Council
17/03/2021
News
- Satwat Rehman, OPFS CEO
A grant from Glasgow City Council (GCC) will enable One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) Glasgow service to continue the work of its vital services to families in crisis, making sure the charity reaches as many families as possible and give them the support they need during these tough times. Funding of £250,000 for a pilot project will support a partnership between OPFS and GCC to supply wraparound support to people affected by the pandemic.
OPFS CEO Satwat Rehman said:
“We are incredibly grateful for the backing for OPFS Glasgow services from across the political spectrum and delighted that the joint SNP/Green budget at GCC was able to fund this project. Councillors Kim Long and Jon Molyneux have been unwavering in their support for this vital work with single parent families who have been severely impacted by the pandemic.
This funding will act as a life raft for single parent families struggling to stay afloat and is especially important because services are under pressure due to the economic effects of the pandemic. Recognition by the City Treasurer, Councillor Ricky Bell that the pandemic has widened social and economic inequality and that our local Glasgow team are doing fantastic work with some of Glasgow’s most disadvantaged families is particularly welcome. To weather the worst and rebuild, we need this kind of community-minded approach which is tailored to single parents’ particular needs.”
As the rest of society continues to ease out of lockdown, many single parent families will remain in financial difficulty and in debt. OPFS Glasgow will be a crucial source of family support, benefits and money advice and online information, guidance and resources as we leave lockdown.
OPFS Glasgow sprang into action at the start of the pandemic and extended its range of support to over 1,500 single parent families and helped secure £582K for many families in crisis for food, tech for children’s home-schooling and to help to keep homes warm. The charity has also been an important source of advice and guidance to families including on-line groups, live chat, advice pages on its website and its freephone single parent helpline.