As we reflect on a brilliant week celebrating Single Parents Day, we’re proud to spotlight Shaf, a member of our Campaigns Advisory Group.

Shaf has been raising awareness of Single Parents Day and championing more inclusive workplaces for single parents at Standard Life, where she works. By speaking up and driving conversations internally, she’s helping to push for meaningful change for single parent colleagues.

Reflecting on her own experience as a single parent, she shares:

“For much of my career, I navigated the realities of being a lone parent quietly, often feeling ‘hidden in plain sight’. I rarely felt seen or supported by the organisations I worked for. And I know I’m not alone, many single and lone parents across the workforce share this experience of carrying immense responsibility without recognition or meaningful support.”

This is something we hear often from single parents, too many are balancing work and family life without the understanding, flexibility or recognition they need to thrive.

Shaf believes that things must change for single parents in today’s workplace.

“In 2026, it’s no longer acceptable for us to remain overlooked. Modern workplaces should focus on inclusivity for single and lone parents, and this should be a core element of every EDI strategy.

This isn’t just about flexible working. It’s about creating cultures and policies that recognise different family realities, including those shaped by separation, loss, or change.

It’s about ensuring that career progression, leadership opportunities, and workplace expectations don’t unintentionally exclude those of us raising a family on our own.”

For Shaf, this goes beyond flexible working. It’s about building workplace cultures that recognise and value the realities of single-parent families, and removing the barriers that hold them back.

By sharing her story, Shaf is helping to challenge assumptions, amplify lived experience, and ensure single parents are no longer overlooked at work.

“That’s why I’m speaking up now and taking a stand. It’s time to recognise this incredible part of the workforce and ensure that they are seen, heard and supported.”

Thank you, Shaf, for using your voice to stand up for single parents and for helping to drive the change that’s so urgently needed.