What is gingerbread ?
IN THE UK, NEARLY ONE CHILD IN FOUR LIVES IN A LONE PARENT FAMILY

Gingerbread was Started by a sparky young single mum, Tessa Fothergill, in 1970. She chose the name because of a café, the Golden Age of Gingerbread, that gave her free coffee when she was roaming the streets of west London looking for somewhere to live.

Since then, the divorce rate in Britain has trebled, and Gingerbread has been a constant force, actively campaigning to improve the lot of lone parents. Nowdays, we aim to do two things: offer lone parents and there children advice, information and emotional support, and speak out for them in the media and politics.

Gingerbread has always been a self-help organisation. So we know exactly what lone parents are going through. And our staff talk to lone parents all over the country every day, so we can pass your views on to the politicians who make the decisions that affect you.

Advice Line
" I GOT INCREDIBLE ADVICE... IT'S VERY IMPARTIAL"

Gingerbread's advice line is the only helpline lone parents can ring for advice that's tailored to their individual circumstances. Lone parents call up to find out about anything from childcare, benefits and going back to work, to housing, divorce and domestic violence… or just for a sympathetic listening ear.

Fully trained welfare advice workers talk with callers for as long as it takes to deal with there situation, and post any information to them straight away.