We are Gingerbread
The charity supporting single parent families to live secure, happy and fulfilling lives
Popular advice topics
Christmas
Planning for Christmas
Help with budgeting and making contact arrangements.
Your first Christmas as a single parent
Practical tips from other single parents.
Help over Christmas
Where to go for advice or support over the Christmas period.
Splitting up
Support for your child
However your child responds to family changes, support is out there.
Support for you
How you can look after yourself after separation.
Money
Benefit calculators
Find out what benefits you’re entitled to.
Child maintenance
How to arrange child maintenance and get the right calculation.
Search for grants
See if you're eligible for any grants with our grants search.
Tie a bow on our Centenary year
Donate to Gingerbread this Christmas
We've empowered thousands of single parent families with our advice, information, campaigns and policy work for over 100 years. This Christmas, your donations can help us continue to support thousands more single parents and make their voices heard.
Speak to other single parents
Become a member
Membership is free brings lots of great benefits, including a monthly newsletter, offers and discounts, and opportunities to meet new people – all tailored to single mums and dads.
Sign up for free membershipChat on our forum
Our forum is a safe and supportive online space just for our single parent members. Speak to people who understand or browse for tips to overcome common challenges.
Start a conversationJoin a group
We have Gingerbread groups around the country, where you can meet other single parents for support, friendship and local activities. See where your nearest group is.
Find your nearest group