The single parent experience
Welcome to our single parent stories. You can read the real-life experiences of single parents below, some of whom have worked with One Parent Families Scotland services.
You can share your experience with us too – it can simply be a quote or a story, long or short. We want to share your stories and make your voice heard so you can be celebrated and recognised for the remarkable jobs you do.
We also hope that people can learn from you about what needs to happen to make sure single parents and their children are supported and valued.
Transforming Child Maintenance: Chloe's story
Chloe* shares her experiences of using the Child Maintenance System after she separated from her children’s dad due to domestic abuse.
Learn moreFrom seeking support to driving change: Olivia's journey with OPFS
Olivia Murray reflects on her journey from being a young single parent receiving support from OPFS Glasgow, to later supporting other young parents and ultimately securing a role as a Welfare Rights Advisor with Glasgow City Council.
Learn moreEmployability Day 2025: Jasmine's route to work
When Jasmine came to OPFS, she was unable to work due to mental health issues. This story offers a practical look at the support Jasmine received — from money and benefits advice to confidence-building sessions — and the steps she took to re-enter the workforce after more than a decade.
Learn moreTransforming Child Maintenance: Gemma's story
Gemma* is a survivor of domestic abuse. She went to tribunal after the Child Maintenance Service ‘nil’ assessed her ex partner, despite her providing evidence of earnings.
Learn moreTransforming Child Maintenance: Hamish's story
Hamish's child lives mostly with her mother. He works night shifts so that he can see his daughter as much as possible.
Learn moreEnd Young Parent Poverty: Rachel's story
Rachel shares her experience of being a young, care-experienced mum who is living in temporary accommodation.
Learn moreRefugee Week 2023: Clara's story
Clara shares her experience of moving from Nigeria and seeking asylum in Scotland. She is a survivor of domestic abuse.
Learn moreMental health awareness week : Zoe's story
Zoe shares her experience of domestic abuse, temporary housing and impact on mental health.
Learn moreEnd Young Parent Poverty: Hassan's story
Hassan missed out on getting school qualifications as he was away from the UK for two years. He now wants to go to college.
Learn moreObserving Ramadan in Scotland - Alisha's story
Alisha shares her experiences of being a Muslim in Scotland and speaks about observing Ramadan and celebrating Eid with her family.
Learn moreAutism Acceptance Month: Lindsay's story
Lindsay is a single mum from Glasgow. She shares her experiences on autism from both a personal and parent perspective.
Learn moreMary's story
Mary talks about her experience of the asylum system, the racism she and her children have faced, and getting support from OPFS.
Learn moreJoy's story
Joy reflects on her experiences as a single parent, dealing with housing services, and her family’s experiences of racism.
Learn moreSadatu's story
Sadatu talks about her experiences as a single parent, dealing with the immigration system, and racism in Scotland
Learn moreAnnie's story
Annie explains how our Glasgow team helped her and her kids go on a short holiday and why Christmas can be such a challenging time for single parents.
Learn moreGayle's story
Gayle talks about the challenges of finding work as a single parent, dealing with the benefits system, and the support she's had through our Glasgow service.
Learn moreAnita's story
Anita explains how taking part in our employability courses in Edinburgh helped give her the confidence to start to her own business.
Learn moreStephen's story
Stephen tells us about his experience becoming a single dad three years ago and how our dads' club in Edinburgh helped him.
Learn moreStories of four Ukrainian mothers in Scotland
Our UKRA group supports Ukrainian mothers in Edinburgh, many of whom are parenting alone for the very first time.
Learn moreCarolyn's story
Carolyn is a single parent to a four year old son with additional support needs.
Learn moreSingle Parents Week 2024: Mia's story
Mia moved to the UK in 2015 and has struggled to secure a job that is flexible enough to fit around school hours and pays enough to cover the cost of childcare.
Learn moreYa's story
She moved to the UK in 2010 to pursue an undergraduate degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering.
Learn more