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Groups
Single parent groups offer many of us a much-needed chance to branch out and spend time with other people.
If you are part of a group you’ll know that it’s a very positive experience, offering support, friendship, activities and more. Because groups are so important, we’ve dedicated this whole section to helping you get the most out of your group or even find out how to start a new one.
Start a group
No groups in your area? Here is some essential information to help you start your own group.
- Making contact
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Experience shows that word of mouth and posters are the best way to get people interested in a self help group. By talking to others about your idea you are promoting it in a way that makes it accessible to single parents. People are more likely to come along to a group if they have heard about it from you or through a friend or neighbour.
- Finding a venue
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This is one of the first steps for a group as without a regular venue it’s difficult to get the group off the ground.
Grow your group
Setting up a single parent self help group is a great achievement, but how do you keep it going? Here you will find ideas to help you sustain your group by widening your membership and promoting your group.
- Publicity
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Publicity is an essential part of promoting events, activities or attracting new members to your group. It can create awareness about an activity, help to generate favourable attitudes and lead to action and participation.
- Writing a press release
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Writing a press release about your group's activities is an easy way for journalists to pick up information quickly and in a format that they are used to. You just need to follow these simple guidelines.
- Diversity
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Single parents in the UK are a diverse group of people – for example, they may be widowed, divorced or never married, male or female, gay or heterosexual and from many different cultural backgrounds. Diversity includes ethnicity, gender, disability, class, culture, sexuality, religion and geographic location.
- Training
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These organisations offer training for volunteers and staff working in community groups. This may be free or low cost to volunteers or there may be local funds available to pay for it. Training is a great way to learn new skills and gain confidence in those you already have. You also get the chance to meet up with other volunteers and find out more about what’s happening in your area.
- Get an email account
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Get a free web-based email address for your group.
- Get a website
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Would your group like to have its own website? Then we can provide a link to your group in Find a Group. The Beehive Community Network provides voluntary organisations with a way of publishing useful information and sharing common interests on the Internet free.
- A guide to funding
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Whether you are just settting up a group or have been around a while you will face the same dilemma - where will the money come from to enable the group to continue to support people? It is unlikely that a single parent group can be completely self funding as many of your members will be living on benefits, or not earning a great deal.
- How to win funds
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Ten top tips to help you win funds and influence funders.
- List of funders
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A short guide to potential funders for single parent self help groups.
- Cornwall One Parent Support
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Improving the lives of one parent families in Cornwall.
- Single Parent Inclusive Network - Devon
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Single parent support group in South Devon
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