iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 7h

📣 Every family should have enough to live with dignity. Our latest Single Parent Impact Report shares evidence from OPFS services, Michelle’s story and the changes we’re calling for to give single parent families greater security. 📖 Read the report: opfs.org.uk/wp-content/u...

014

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 29/09/2026

Applications, interviews, childcare planning, IT and finances: the six-week Training Academy in the OPFS - @publichealthscot.bsky.social pathway covered the practical details of moving into work. Why did that matter? We explain in our blog: opfs.org.uk/get-involved...

001

Reposted by One Parent Families Scotland

The Poverty Alliance @povertyalliance.org · 18/09/2026

Asad Rehman has decades of experience in campaigning for environmental, social, and racial justice - and a deep understanding of how all these struggles are linked. Reserve your free place to hear him speak in Glasgow. It will be a highlight of #ChallengePoverty Week. #CPW26 www.tfaforms.com/5231335

A picture of Asad Rehman, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Text says The Annual Challenge Poverty Week Lecture Thursday 8th October 2026, 6pm, The Social Hub 15 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1TQ

022

Reposted by One Parent Families Scotland

Public Health Scotland @publichealthscot.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In our latest blog, Chief Executive Paul Johnston reflects on what we’ve learned from our partnership with One Parent Families Scotland, from removing barriers to employment to helping people stay, grow and succeed. Read the blog ➡️ ow.ly/YbB450ZRnyy

021

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 11/09/2026

If you're a single parent in Scotland looking for advice, give us a call. You can talk to our advisors about anything from general worries to budgeting, child maintenance, money and more. Open Mon-Fri 9.30-4 Call: 0800801 0323 #Helpline #SingleParents #Scotland

"You have been most helpful and thanks for listening to me. I have been really stressed over the last few years with my teenage son getting bullied, moving school and my ex husband not paying any Child Maintenance at all."
Parent caller to Helpline.

001

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 10/09/2026

Congratulations to 12 single parents who started new roles as Client Advisors with Social Security Scotland this week! 🎉 Through the OPFS Training Academy, they received tailored support, from financial guidance and applications to mock interviews and customer care training.

032

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 08/09/2026

Our Lone Parent Helpline provides advice and support to single parents. Call 0808 801 0323, Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm. Call us about anything from dealing with a break-up, sorting out child maintenance, understanding benefits, money when having a baby, studying or moving into work. If you

Live chat with our advisors online.
Monday to Friday 9.30-4pm.
Visit www.opfs.org.uk

"Thanks for talking to me, I have been very isolated since I separated 6 weeks ago, you have made my day having this conversation with you. I know my situation will improve over time and its early days for me and the children. Thanks again."

022

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 03/09/2026

001

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 27/08/2026

We’re delighted that @satwatr.bsky.social Chief Executive of One Parent Families Scotland, has been re-appointed as Co-Chair to Scotland’s new Just Transition Commission. Our full statement: opfs.org.uk/get-involved... #JustTransition

053

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 10/08/2026

📅 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁, 𝟭𝟬-𝟭𝟭𝗮𝗺. With @citizensadvicescot.bsky.social, we'll explore what our latest evidence tells us, what support is making a difference and what needs to change to make energy more affordable. 👉 events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c07146...

002

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 10/08/2026

Watching this archive footage today is a reminder that while much has changed over the last decade, many of the challenges facing single parent families remain. #EnergyCrisis #FuelPoverty

100

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 10/08/2026

🎥 Twelve years on... In 2014, #SingleParents told us they were struggling with rising energy costs, prepayment meters and impossible choices between heating their homes and paying for other essentials. Sound familiar?

100

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 27/07/2026

New evidence from OPFS highlights the growing impact of energy debt on single parent families. During Q1 2026, money and debt enquiries made up the majority of contacts to our services.

** Infographic titled 'New impact report: energy debt". Large headline reads "78% of single parent enquiries were about money and debt". Data covers April-June 2026. A horizontal bar chart shows the percentage of enquiries by topic. **

112

Reposted by One Parent Families Scotland

The Poverty Alliance @povertyalliance.org · 23/07/2026

Child maintenance should help children get what they need to grow, learn and feel secure. But too many families face delays, setbacks and a system that feels like snakes and broken ladders. Read our guest blog from Philippa Kemp at @opfs.org.uk: www.povertyalliance.org/guest-blog-n...

‘TCM partnership group photo’ photo credit: Emma Boyd Photography.
From left to right: Neil Park (single dad and member of the Single Parent Expert group, Ruben (one of the children who came with us and his mum to London), Laura Millar (CEO Fife Gingerbread), Kerry Jones (Child Maintenance Project Coordinator Fife Gingerbread), Dave Hawkey (Senior Research Fellow, IPPR Scotland), Satwat Rehman (OPFS Chief Executive), Casey Smith (Researcher, IPPR Scotland), Katarzyna Stasina (single mum and member of the Single Parent Expert Group), Charis Chittick (OPFS Head of Policy, Strategy and Communications), Alexandra (one of the children who came with us to London), Philippa Kemp (Communications and Participation Manager).

021

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 23/07/2026

Learn more about the experiences behind the statistics in our latest Impact Report and what we think needs to change to better support families: opfs.org.uk/policy-and-c... #Scotland #EnergyDebt #SingleParents

opfs.org.uk

Impact reports at One Parent Families Scotland

We produce four Impact Reports per year, which look into the impact of OPFS services on single parents across Scotland.

000

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 23/07/2026

The report also sets out practical recommendations for the Scottish and UK Governments to improve support for single parent families experiencing energy debt, such as introducing a social tariff.

100

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 23/07/2026

Drawing on evidence from our national Helpline, local services and digital support, the report highlights how energy debt is driving financial hardship and forcing many single parent families to make difficult choices between heating their homes, buying food and covering other essentials.

100

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 23/07/2026

💡 Against this backdrop, our latest Spotlight on Energy report provides timely evidence from OPFS services on how rising energy costs are affecting single parent families.

100

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 23/07/2026

💡 Energy affordability is firmly back on the policy agenda this week with the new Prime Minister announcing plans to remove VAT from household electricity bills as part of a package of cost-of-living measures.

101

Reposted by One Parent Families Scotland

Citizens Advice Scotland @citizensadvicescot.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

We welcome the proposed removal of VAT from electricity bills as a positive first step, but long-term action such as an affordable social tariff and faster energy debt support is also needed. Read our full response here 👇 www.cas.org.uk/news-and-eve...

024

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 07/07/2026

Parents told us that understanding child maintenance can feel confusing and hard to navigate. That's why parents worked alongside partner orgs to develop #ChildMaintenanceExplained 🎥 Kerry from @fifegingerbread.bsky.socialGingerbread explains more. www.childmaintenanceexplained.org.uk

000

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 06/07/2026

🎉 Child Maintenance Explained is live! Developed with parents and partner organisations, the new website provides clear, independent information to help families understand their child maintenance options and navigate the system. 🔗 www.childmaintenanceexplained.org.uk

122

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 03/07/2026

Not sure where to start with child maintenance? If you're a single parent in Scotland, we can help you understand your options and what happens next. Professionals supporting single parents can get in touch too. 📞 Helpline | 💬 Live chat Free. Confidential.

000

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 02/07/2026

In the meantime, if you are in Scotland and need support with #ChildMaintenance, you can contact our free, confidential Helpline or use our Live Chat service: 📞 0808 801 0323 Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm. #ChildMaintenanceExplained #ChildMaintenance

000

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 02/07/2026

👀 Understanding child maintenance isn't always straightforward. That's why we're launching Child Maintenance Explained next week, a new website developed with parents and partner organisations to provide clear, trusted information in one place. Watch this space! #ChildMaintenanceExplained

Promotional graphic for "Child Maintenance Explained," an upcoming website developed with parents for parents. Features an image of three joyful children and organization logos including Citizens Advice Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid.

112

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 01/07/2026

Juggling everything and trying to understand child maintenance too? If you're in Scotland, our advisers can help you understand your options and the Child Maintenance Service. We also support professionals working with single parents. 📞 Helpline: 0808 801 0323

011

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 30/06/2026

Child maintenance can be hard to navigate, especially when you're juggling everything else as a single parent. If you're a single parent in Scotland, we can help you understand your options and make sense of the Child Maintenance Service. 📞 Lone Parent Helpline 💬 Live chat

000

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 28/06/2026

An important read At OPFS, we see every day how harmful narratives can deepen stigma and distract from the real causes of poverty and inequality.

042

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 19/06/2026

OPFS has joined a coalition of leading charities calling for an emergency Scottish parliamentary committee on child poverty. Single parent families are among those most at risk of poverty in Scotland.

132

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 15/06/2026

Our research with @ipprscotland.bsky.social +@fifegingerbread.bsky.social shows around 210k children could be lifted out of poverty if children received the child maintenance they're entitled to. The question now is when action will follow. Our full response: opfs.org.uk/get-involved...

032

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 15/06/2026

Many of the concerns raised – around calculations, enforcement, communication and support for victim-survivors – reflect the experiences single parents have shared through the Transforming Child Maintenance project. But recognition alone is not enough.

100

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 15/06/2026

Last week, the House of Lords debated the Public Services Committee's report on reforming the Child Maintenance Service.

102

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 12/06/2026

Everyone has the right to be safe. You belong here.

000

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 12/06/2026

At OPFS, we stand in solidarity with everyone affected by this week's disorder, in particular those in our community who are from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds. Whether you made your homes in Scotland decades ago or are newly arrived, we respect and support you.

100

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 12/06/2026

Many fear for their own safety and lives as well as the wider community. This situation must not be allowed to continue. The violence and racist abuse that has taken place this week is unacceptable and has no place in Scotland.

100

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 12/06/2026

At One Parent Families Scotland we are heartbroken and deeply concerned by the outbursts of racist disorder, violence and threats this week. Families are being cut off from the essential support they need as many parents are telling us they are afraid to travel.

121

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 09/06/2026

We are proud to support this joint call to the First Minister. We are expecting a First Minister’s Question on this from Green Party Health Spokesperson, Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill MSP, this afternoon. You can watch live at approximately 2.30pm:

scottishparliament.tv

Watch now | Scottish Parliament TV

Watch all meetings at the Scottish Parliament live or in our archive. You can also choose to share, clip and embed videos.

010

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 09/06/2026

OPFS has joined healthcare bodies, women’s organisations and equality groups in calling for the reinstatement of a dedicated Minister for Women’s Health in Scotland. Women’s health requires clear leadership, accountability and political commitment.

𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
We are calling on the First Minister to reinstate the role of Women's Health Minister appears on a purple background with a collection of third sector organisation logos behind.

120

Reposted by One Parent Families Scotland

Lawmanity @lawmanity.com · 09/06/2026

🎙️ New Episode: Law, Poverty, and Political Power, with Satwat Rehman Our next one-on-one guest interview is with Satwat Rehman @satwatr.bsky.social : anti-poverty campaigner and One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk Chief Executive 🎧 Listen here ➡️: podfollow.com/lawmanity/view

043

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 08/06/2026

Thank you for shining a light on an issue affecting so many single parent families.

002

Reposted by One Parent Families Scotland

Fraser of Allander Institute @fraserofallander.org · 01/06/2026

The tackling child poverty agenda in Scotland is entering a pivotal phase, with a new government at the helm and statutory targets coming due in 2030. In this blog, we set out our key priorities for child poverty research over the next five years. buff.ly/eTADkWT

fraserofallander.org

Tackling child poverty in Scotland: new horizons for economic analysis

Since 2017, Scotland has been the only nation in the UK with statutory targets for reducing child poverty, placing the issue firmly at the centre of policymaking. The Fraser of Allander Institute…

022

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 05/06/2026

At OPFS, we firmly believe families should help shape the solutions. When people with lived experience are trusted as partners in designing change, we create better policies and better outcomes for children.

000

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 05/06/2026

1️⃣ Participation & co-production 2️⃣ Learning from all 4 nations of the UK 3️⃣ Accountability & transparency

100

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 05/06/2026

This week, OPFS gave evidence to MPs on the UK Child Poverty Strategy. Asked by @stevedarlingmp.bsky.social how the Govt can build trust in the strategy, @charischittick.bsky.social highlighted 3 key ingredients:

100

One Parent Families Scotland @opfs.org.uk · 04/06/2026

A key moment from our evidence to MPs on the UK Child Poverty Strategy: Too often, the debate focuses on the cost of tackling poverty. But as @charischittick.bsky.social highlighted, "Inaction on poverty is more expensive than prevention."

111