We’re delighted to announce our single-parent superheroes of 2026. Nominations have been submitted by friends and family, paying tribute to these exceptional people who go the extra mile for their children every day of the year. Congratulations – you really are heroes!
Abigail fled DV and moved to Grimsby, she’s made a lovely home for her two children, who she goes above and beyond for. She’s also became a really good friend and always helps with any parties I organise for the Grimsby Gingerbread Group. She’s a superstar!
Alison goes above and beyond for her children, 2 of them are on the sen register. Not only is she an amazing single mum, she also works her backside off volunteering and hosting events to help other single parents and parents with SEN children. She genuinely puts everyone else first, and this woman deserves a medal! She really is amazing.
Alison works hard, going above and beyond for single parents, she together activities for single parents and their children in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, giving parents a chance to socialise with other single parents.
Alison works hard, going above and beyond for single parents, she together activities for single parents and their children in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, giving parents a chance to socialise with other single parents.
I’m nominating my mam, for starting over after a relationship breakdown, leaving her home with no furniture with 3 kids in Feb 2022. She then had to then give up her job to care for her younger brother after being asked to go for SGO by child services. Although she hasn’t been herself and suffered with mental health since the start of it all, she has cared for all of us every day and is the only consistent love and support we all have had, even when it means neglecting her own needs a lot of the time. I would love for her to feel the same back!
A wonderful mum who has overcome challenges others may never see. April shows extraordinary resilience and balances roles every day. A superstar x
Bev always wanted to be a mother. Her son was a difficult baby but she always showed love, she puts Sid first in everything she does. Unfortunately, her relationship with Sid’s dad did not work out and co-parenting has proven very difficult causing a lot of emotional distress. Despite this, Bev has always continued to be inspiring.
Sid values life and the wonderful life that Bev is giving him. They spend time in the countryside, climbing mountains, paddle boarding, being around family and she always has a positive attitude. She is positive about Sid’s father and carries on co-parenting even though it is difficult.
She is compassionate about animal welfare and has been vegan for many years. She advocates for animal rights and has lovingly shown Sid how to care for our planet and the beings who live here. Whilst doing all of this, she works full time in a demanding job caring for children. Bev is my little sister, and I am so proud of the way she is bringing my nephew up. I am amazed by her every day.
I nominated Bev last year and I am nominating her again as a super-duper single parent! Bev is a brilliant parent, no matter what is going on she shows up for her son 110%, prioritises him in everything she does and thinks, and is raising the awesome little Sid as a kind, fun and super happy little boy.
Bev creates lots of memories with him and they are always doing something engaging together or going on new adventures. And whilst doing all that she is also smashing it working full time, budgeting, and planning, finding ways to make it not just work but work well. Oh, and she just moved house, on her own. Barely mentioned it. Just casually lifted an entire life and relocated it like it was no big deal. (It was very much a big deal.)
Bev also somehow finds the time to help those around her, and I will be forever grateful for our friendship, and to Gingerbread for bringing us together lol! Bev deserves this nomination because she is, without question, a single‑parent superhero.
I would like to nominate Chloe as a Single Parent Superhero. Chloe is a single parent to 2 children while working full-time at the Co-op, a balancing act that isn’t always easy. But what sets Chloe apart is the way she goes above and beyond, not just for her own family, but for her colleagues as well.
Alongside managing the demands of work and family life, Chloe is a committed and active member of our PaCT (Parents and Carers Together) network at the Co-op. She proactively approached the network with the idea of creating a Single Parents Circle; a safe, supportive space for colleagues to connect, share experiences & practical advice and support one another. This initiative was entirely driven by Chloe. She identified a gap, recognised the need for support and connection, and turned the idea into reality. All of this has been achieved alongside running a household, raising 2 children, and working full-time in a demanding role.
Chloe’s compassion, initiative, and determination will really make a positive difference to colleagues who may otherwise have felt isolated or unsupported. For her dedication and impact, I believe Chloe is thoroughly deserving of this recognition.
I am nominating Claire because she embodies strength, resilience and compassion and success in single parenthood.
Claire became a single parent 20 years ago when her children were very young. This was not a chosen path but one forced upon her through financial abuse and dishonesty from their father. Despite emotional and financial instability, she created a safe, loving and stable home.
Over the years she has navigated extraordinary challenges. She supported her children through undiagnosed and later diagnosed neurodiversity, walked alongside her youngest through an eating disorder and recovery and lovingly supported identity questions from her eldest that ultimately led to a change of gender and name. At every stage she responded with openness, advocacy and unconditional love.
Alongside this, Claire never lost sight of her own goals. She continued to build her career and prioritise her health, even when doing so required immense determination. She showed her children that single parenthood does not mean self-erasure, but strength and growth. She set up her own business and even undertook a PhD.
Her children have grown into thoughtful, self-aware adults because of her steady leadership.
Beyond her own family, Claire has quietly supported other single parents. When I was suffering domestic abuse, she was instrumental in helping me escape and then rebuild my life. She provided a safe haven, practical support and wise advice. She has been a wonderful role model for my daughter, loving her as if she were her own.
This year Claire will become a grandmother. It feels fitting that she be recognised – not just for surviving, but for thriving and showing that single parenthood can be a story of dignity and deep love with a side order of brilliant humour and joy.
Watching her exemplary parenting as a solo mother gave me the belief that it would be possible for me to do the same. She is an inspiration and support to so many and I’m thrilled to nominate her.
I am nominating my friend because she is an incredible example of strength, dedication, and selflessness.
After leaving a deeply difficult marriage, she endured a long and exhausting divorce process that lasted for years. During this time, she carried the full responsibility of caring for her three children while navigating emotional and practical challenges largely on her own. Rather than allowing these circumstances to overwhelm her, she focused entirely on creating stability and security for her children.
To provide them with a safe and permanent home, she worked tirelessly, earning a promotion and taking on longer hours. She managed every aspect of securing and moving into their home herself, handling all the paperwork and logistics while continuing to be a present, loving, and supportive parent. Her children are thriving because of the consistency, care, and love she provides every day.
Despite her demanding work schedule and the constant responsibilities of raising three children alone, she always makes time for others. Throughout my own experience of single parenthood, she has been a constant source of support. She listens, encourages, and will drop everything to help when needed, even when she is already stretched thin caring for her own family.
She never seeks recognition and does everything with quiet determination and compassion. Her resilience, generosity, and unwavering commitment to her children make her truly deserving of the title Single Parent Superhero.
They are a single parent to 3 PDA girls and whilst battling their own struggles, Danielle has set up a supportive community with information and support.
Danielle is an award-winning advocate for PDA parenting and a novel writer in my local area who has been mine and many other parents’ superhero for many years. As a single parent myself, she has shown me I can do it too.
A single mum of 3 girls who all have Autism and ADHD and has single handedly raised and supported them with all the extra needs. Danielle has written a book to help others and blogs daily on odd parenting. She is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to her children, and I admire her strength. She rarely sleeps but is always there, never complaining and continually giving her children the best chance in life.
Married for 18 years, 3 kids. Beloved wife died of cancer last New Years Day. My ex fiancé who still goes above and beyond for absolutely everyone he meets.
She looks after me and my brothers, helps with some church groups, even though she has her own medical problems, and I have loads of things going on she goes out of her way to help anyone there is plenty of people you could ask she helps other kids by running them to school too. Over Xmas she has helped people by doing skip runs she tries to teach me as I don’t really attend school also she takes us to all our appointments, looks for things to help me as I have anxiety linked to my autism I also have pda as well as selective mutism so I make life harder but she takes every thing in her stride. She helps at the toddlers at church and at the food bank, where she also helps run and set up the cookery class. A lady from the council comes and Elizabeth helps she sets up she does all the dishes, does the shopping etc. Even if she doesn’t win, she is and always will be my superhero.
My mum, Gemma, deserves to be recognised because she is the strongest and most amazing person I know. She is a mum to four children and has been through so much, but she never gives up and always puts us first. Nine years ago she left her ex-husband and since then she has worked so hard to build a better life for us. She completed two university degrees while raising us and now has a good job as a Deputy Manager at a nursery for children with special needs, which shows how caring and dedicated she is.
Six months ago, after being in a relationship for eight years, my mum had to leave because it became abusive. Even though this was really hard for her, she stayed strong for us and kept her head high. She never lets us see how much she is hurting and always makes sure we feel safe and loved.
My little brother has additional needs and goes to a special school. He needs a lot of care, including personal care, and my mum looks after him with so much patience and love. No matter how tired she is or what she is dealing with, she always treats him with kindness and understanding. I know how hard this is and I admire her so much for it.
She has been supportive, caring, and always there for me when I need her. She does everything she can to make sure we are happy, even when she is struggling herself.
My mum is an amazing person and an incredible mum, and we couldn’t ask for anyone better. I am so proud of her and I truly believe she deserves to win this award because of everything she has overcome and everything she continues to do for us every single day.
I am nominating my mum, an extraordinary single parent whose strength, resilience, and quiet determination have shaped not only our family, but the people we have grown into.
Raising children alone is never just about doing more — it is about carrying responsibility without pause. My mum became everything at once: the provider, the emotional anchor, the decision-maker, and the protector. She navigated financial pressure, uncertainty, and exhaustion with dignity, ensuring we were always supported, safe, and loved.
Despite limited resources, she consistently put our needs first. She managed finances carefully, often going without herself so that we never felt deprived. What stood out most was her ability to shield us from stress while remaining disciplined, responsible, and focused. Our home was stable, not because life was easy, but because she worked relentlessly to make it so.
Emotionally, she was our constant. She created a home built on calm, understanding, and consistency. She showed us that strength does not have to be loud, and that resilience can exist alongside kindness and patience. Through her actions, she taught us perseverance, accountability, and self-belief.
My mum’s journey challenges outdated stereotypes of single parenthood. She represents what Gingerbread stands for: recognising single parents as capable, resilient, and deserving of respect. She did not simply cope — she led our family forward with courage and integrity.
She has never sought recognition, but she deserves it. Honouring her would honour countless single parents who quietly overcome daily challenges with grace. She did not just raise children — she raised futures.
She has been a single parent through covid, raising 2 neurodivergent children, never letting them miss out, taking on a second job and making everything work.
Heather run’s an organisation called Supermums, helping mums to relaunch their career. Many of them are single mums that are looking for something flexible and well paid, and have been able to secure a new house, live independently, and get back on their feet after divorce.
Over the last 9 years, Supermums has supported 1800 people to retrain in tech and relaunch their career successfully. Supermums has been recognised for quite a few awards and Heather is recognised as one of the most 100 influential women in tech and a Rising Star by Computer Weekly and was recently a runner up in the women’s business awards.
Her company has a glowing 5 star review on Trustpilot and lovely case studies on the website at www.supermums.org. Heather is a single parent running Supermums with a team of 17 people around the world. She works hard and makes time for her 2 young children whilst helping other mums get back on the feet after significant setbacks in life.
My dad is my superhero, not because of one big moment, but because of the countless ways he shows up for me every single day.
No matter what life throws my way, he is always there. He’s the person who wipes away my tears, even now that I’m 27, who laughs with me during the good times and stands beside me during the hard ones. Through every high and low, he has been my constant source of love, strength, and encouragement.
He has always believed in me, even during the moments when I doubted myself the most. His encouragement has shaped my confidence, and through the way he shows up with patience, understanding, and unconditional love, he has quietly taught me what it means to care deeply for others and keep going even when things feel hard. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without him standing behind me, cheering me on, and reminding me of my strength when I couldn’t see it myself.
What makes him extraordinary isn’t one grand gesture, it’s the everyday moments. The quiet sacrifices, the listening without judgement, the laughter when I need lifting up, and the unwavering presence that never fades. He shows up, again and again, without expecting recognition or praise.
I feel incredibly lucky to call him my dad. To me, he is proof that superheroes are real, they just look like ordinary people who love you fiercely and never stop being there. He deserves to be celebrated, not just for what he does, but for who he is: a constant source of love, strength, and light. I love you dad! x
Jennifer Forrest is the first person who comes to mind when I think of a single parent superhero. Jennifer is a real hero. She’s American and moved from the United States to Norway together with her son Anif, who was then 2 years old, 1.5 years ago in search of a better life following the murder of her step-son and the breakdown of her marriage. Jennifer and Anif moved to Norway without knowing anyone there and without speaking the language. Jennifer quickly found a job and Anif started kindergarten. Jennifer is a real problem solver, and always stays positive despite facing difficulties. She and Anif recently moved away from Oslo to another part of Norway after Jennifer found a better job, so Anif, who will soon turn four years old, just started his fourth kindergarten. Hopefully Jennifer will like her new job and they will make lots of new friends and build a happy life in their new hometown Sogndal. My son and I will for sure miss having them in Oslo.
I am nominating myself. I hope that’s allowed. Everyone thinks I do great, don’t cry, am tough. I am not. I have left an abusive relationship with 3 small children, went through post separation abuse and got a degree. My babies are doing amazing in school and in everything they touch. I raise them single handedly, on one salary, no family to help out.
I cry a lot, and then get up the next morning for my children, for other people who I support though CAB work, my friends, RAF association – I don’t ever want anyone to feel as lonely as I am. No one praises what I do. So today, I will praise myself! I will shout out to my ex – I have done it all by myself, with no help from you, with no financial support, with no help from my family as they are living abroad. And I will never give up for my children.
Joanna Gurr set up SPIN (single parent information network) here in Brighton in 2005 and has been working tirelessly to connect, empower and resource local single parents ever since, despite her own kids now being grown! SPIN has been such a lifeline to me over the years, linking me to affordable local community events, low cost home removals and free tickets to theatre events and local places of interest which we wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to access.
Jodie is a single parent who has been through so much adversity, domestic abuse and uses all of this to help others. Creating an amazing program to support children and families improving mental health. The difference she has made is incredible. All while fighting her own health battles and doing a masters degree. She really is not only superwoman, but a true angel on earth xx
This lady changed mine and my family’s life! Mine and so many others! She always goes above and beyond and is truly changing the future of mental health!
Kirsty is a single parent to Harley, who is Autistic. Harley is now in college studying photography and is amazing; he really has an eye for the lens. Kirsty works with an autism charity, and I believe that, as a single parent myself, she truly deserves recognition for everything she does, all while navigating life without her beloved dad, who passed away while Harley was so young.
Kristina is a fantastic full time solo mum managing several work streams and raising an amazing, bright little gentleman who is a testament to her warmth and compassion.
Laura has moved mountains this year, and created a safe, happy home for her and her mini-me. On the one hand, she’s determined, capable, and hardworking. And on the other, she’s nurturing, ready to smile and prioritises time with those she loves. Big shout out to her mum, another single parent superhero, Granny Agnes, who is also on hand for school pickups and furniture-moving situations. A pair of fabulous women I feel proud to know and love.
I nominated Lisa last year and I am nominating her again, as a super single parent superhero! Lisa never stops: she works fulltime as a teacher and excels in her job, she is always out and about with her two lovely children giving them fab experiences and creating memories. She organises meetups with other friends in the group, and she does all of this without making it seem difficult – but as a single parent myself I know nothing is easy!
Lisa has no family nearby to support her with childcare or all the last-minute things that come up that us single parents have to negotiate but she never complains and genuinely loves spending time with her children and makes the most of every school holiday. Lisa should be super proud of herself and treat herself to a drink and take-out on Single Parents Day!
Lisa is the heart and soul of our social group- raising 2 children alone, she gives them everything she can, whilst also being the glue that keeps us all together. She has plans 6 months ahead filled with every activity you could imagine and takes so many amazing photos to treasure the memories. You’re doing an amazing job Lisa, never stop being you x
For being an amazing Mam, giving her children wonderful experiences and so much fun.
Brilliant at being upbeat and super lovely!
Louise has been a single parent for years. She has two sons, one of which has severe additional needs and requires care and supervision. Louise is always doing what’s best for her son and involves him in community fundraising, nothing is too much for her and she holds down a full-time job too. She also helps anyone in need and is the most caring woman I know. She deserves the recognitions that she is in fact a supermum!
Louise has been an absolute rock for her son, spending hard earned money on professional assessments to ensure he has the best support and education for his needs. She has embarked on challenging local authorities who were not keen to accept his needs and provide education. She has attended tribunals, self-representing at all times. This has included mountains of paperwork and lots of late nights completing forms and organising reports. She does this completely alone.
She has had her own health difficulties which have impacted on her ability to work, but despite this, she tirelessly puts her son first, giving him a wealth of opportunities and supporting him to develop life skills despite his additional needs.
On top of this she will offer support to other parents of SEN children to battle through the EHCP process, giving advice and time for free, often ending up with giving hours of her time for little in return. She has supported me personally through the court process to obtain a CAO and she has always been honest, encouraging and kind. She gives so much of her time and knowledge to her local community on top of being a lone parent.
I am proud to nominate Lyam Crosdale as a Single Parent Superhero for his exceptional commitment to his children, his community, and his advocacy for single LGBTQ+ parents.
Lyam has consistently championed and supported single LGBTQ+ parents, offering visibility, encouragement, and hope to those who often feel unseen or isolated. Through his lived experience and advocacy, he has helped normalise diverse family structures and inspired others to believe that parenthood is possible and fulfilling, regardless of circumstance.
As a single father through surrogacy, Lyam is a devoted and hands-on parent to his daughter. He prioritises her wellbeing, development, and happiness, regularly attending children’s activities and ensuring she grows up surrounded by love, stability, and pride in her family story. He is a powerful example of what intentional, present fatherhood looks like.
Lyam is also a strong advocate for single parents more broadly, challenging stigma and outdated assumptions about what families should look like. His story inspires many, offering reassurance to those navigating parenthood alone.
What makes Lyam truly remarkable is his selflessness. He has consciously paused aspects of his career to focus on what he believes is his purpose: being fully present for his children and supporting others. Many wonder where he finds the energy to do all that he does. His actions are driven by love, resilience, and an unwavering belief in family.
For his advocacy, dedication, and the hope he gives to others, Lyam Crosdale is truly deserving of recognition as a Single Parent Superhero.
Lydia is an incredible mum to two wonderful boys, she meets their every need while working as a busy nurse. She manages so much on her own and I would like to celebrate her achievements.
Manda is one of the calmest moms I know. With two children, two dogs, a house that needs to be a home, and her own business to run. She’s always encouraging, inviting, dragging me to the gym, and very often operates on little to no sleep without showing a sign of fatigue or a complaint.
Manda keeps it all together with calm and ease and still makes time for others. She’s not only a superhero she’s a super star!
Our mum fled domestic violence from our dad in 2022. We left with nothing. Today, due to her dedication, hard work and commitment to making things better for us and others, she works full-time supporting others in this field. She has brought us up with respect, love, and so much care. Always putting us first, making sure we do well in life, and we become independent and successful. She’s always encouraged us; she’s the best.
Nina is an amazing solo parent to three incredible boys. She also supports families going through difficult circumstances and is developing a post-separation abuse assessment framework and training for a range of professionals. Many single parents have benefitted from her FamilyVision training and coaching. Through it all she is funny, fun, kind, inclusive, graceful, determined and caring. I am so proud to call her a friend.
Rachael single-handedly raises her two children, with additional needs. She is also part of Foxwood special school PTA where her son attends, and has helped raise £80,000 for a wheelchair accessible playground for the school. Not to mention supporting the creation of a sensory room and countless other pieces of equipment.
Rachael is a single parent to two children with additional needs, one with complex disabilities. In addition to this, she heads up the charity and PTA at a local special school, Foxwood, here in Warrington. She is tireless in fundraising for extra facilities and provisions for the children in the school. She also runs a holiday club for children with additional needs to enable them to access activities with their peers in a safe environment while school is closed. Rachael is the epitome of an unsung hero!
Simon lost his wife soon after their son was born. He has raised him alone and is a great father.
This person is my mother. She is the literal definition of superwoman.
She raised me and my brother (who is now 13, I am 26) and homeschooled, planning and teaching every aspect of our curriculums from toddlers to teen years, a total of 20+ years, while juggling and battling:
She is incredibly resourceful and even though she lived on no more than £500 a month at the most (and that was on a good month) she found ways to design the most delicious vegan food so we could eat healthy. We never went without and she shopped at charity stores to clothe us with designer clothes while she went without suitable clothing for the winter and often didn’t even have clothes to wear for church.
She also battled lying allegations from jealous family members who tried at least four times throughout my childhood to get us taken away into social services, and lied that she was abusive and incompetent as a mother. Each time, the allegations were dropped and proven false, and I was even put forward for a scholarship at a royal boarding school for girls.
She tried her hand at several small businesses to make ends meet, from catering, to personal training, to tutoring other children, to writing eBooks, and even selling natural hair care products.
She invested in me as I grew older and is the reason I was promoted to manager within four months of starting my first full time job. She always believed in our dreams and would rather spend her money on our education and my brother’s private violin lessons, than put the money towards rent, trusting that God would take care of her, and he did.
Today she still works with me as my marketing manager (I’m an entrepreneur). She is truly one of a kind.
I’m nominating my daughter Taya, she has had such a tough time and come through it all amazingly well! She now has a little boy Arlo, and is the most fantastic mother to him. I’m so proud of her! She puts him first before everything and has been brilliant. She taught him everything early, he knew all his colours and shapes etc early, she still has struggles but keeps going for him.
She runs a group in Islington for single parents she always there to support and listen.
Tackling tremendous challenges alone. To having two dependent children, with a lots of needs. Running a home, working and having gone through a strenuous legal issues regarding the separation. Vidhya manages herself with upmost inner strength, always putting her children first. She is kind and hard working.
Life has thrown deep challenges, but she has beaten them. It’s not been easy transitioning into being a single parent and learning while life keeps adding to the juggling plates. The hardships faced has left her imbalanced but she manages to carry on for her children. A fully dedicated mother who is genuine and tries her best. She shows great patience and is a positive role model for those who want to give up. Vidhya has also helped with school fundraising and other community project where she positively impacts people. She has supported other single parents through hardship and helping their wellbeing.
Her child has gone through a lot of mental health and bullying issues. This has affected homelife deeply but she tries her best to navigate via different strategies. She is an advocate for neurodiversity.
Her warming nature and consistent motivation to get the best outcomes make her more than a superhero. Her health has had a few knocks due to the high level of stress, but she is staying persistent and through resilience she gets through each day. She definitely needs recognition and is an unsung hero.
A mum of two precious girls, the past year she has been so strong with her youngest, usually with a new born it’s tough but she done it all on her own. Providing her kids with a happy safe life, she also just came back from holiday with her daughters which is a lovely memorable achievement.
