Overview

Gingerbread is a charity supporting single-parent families to live secure, happy and fulfilling lives.  They say they want a society in which single-parent families are treated equally and fairly.

To get there they provide information to help single parents support themselves and their families. They run programmes to equip single parents with the skills and opportunities to gain employment.  The campaign and influence policy to reduce the stigma against single parents, and make services more accessible to all families – whatever their shape or size.

For advice and information

• They have lots of information on a wide range of issues, including benefits and tax credits, childcare, separation, work, housing and child maintenance
• Their online forum allows parents to chat and give and receive support
• They also have online groups that provide a space for single parents to meet other people who understand what it’s like to be a single parent.
• If you can’t find the information you need on our information pages, you can call our helpline.

The Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline provides support and expert advice on anything from dealing with a break-up to going back to work or sorting out child maintenance, benefit or tax credit issues. The friendly advisers will talk through your options and send you useful information. Your call is free and confidential.  The helpline number is 0808 802 0925.

Before you call

Check if your question can be answered by any of our online information. This information – available on a range of subjects and regularly checked and updated by advice professionals – might give you the answer you need more quickly. Demand for the helpline is high and so callers often have to wait to speak to an adviser – the average waiting time is around 20 minutes.