What We Do
Our project workers can:
- Offer individual support, based on the needs of each young mum
- Help with accessing other agencies
- Help completing forms, writing letters and making phone-calls
- Offer advice on education, employment training and childcare
- Put you in touch with other teenage parents through groups
- Help you with budgeting, dealing with debt and claiming benefits
Case Study
Alice was referred to us when she was 17. Alice's baby was due in four months. When Alice told her parents that she was pregnant they told her that she could no longer live at home.
After leaving home Alice slept on a friend's floor with her boyfriend Greg. The project worker liaised with the Housing Office and the Benefits Office on Alice's behalf. Shortly before her baby was born, Alice was given a tenancy for a council flat, but her relationship with Greg ended.
Alice found it hard being on her own and struggled to manage her money. She got into arrears with her rent. The project worker helped Alice to work out a budgeting plan and arranged for direct payments to be made from her benefits in order to repay the arrears. The project worker also successfully applied to a local charity for help in purchasing carpets for Alice's flat.
Alice had a baby daughter Casey and has been a good parent. She is in contact with her parents who are thrilled with their grand-daughter.
Alice feels more confident in her ability to manage and has been thinking about completing a short course at the local college. The project worker has reduced her visits to once every month but keeps in contact by telephone and text message. Alice has told us that it is good to know there is someone there when you need them, but also good that they let you get on with it.
In order to protect anonymity, names and some details have been changed.
