SMILE Connect
Community Development
We want to run special events for local lone parent families, such as an annual fair, summer activities, and regular farm "getaways".
About this cause
Our goal here at SMILE since 2009 has been to help local lone parent families “live life to the full”. SMILE families are amazing – parents and children show more resilience, imagination, creativity and desire to “make life work” than many of us can imagine. And they love the opportunity that SMILE gives to do things together – that’s why we call it the SMILE community. Our work covers 4 areas: personal support to help lone parent families out of crisis, and overcome the lack of time, money and space to develop as individuals and families; creating a community to help families feel they are not alone, opportunities for lone parents and their children to develop new skills to increase self-confidence; and one-off events to make families feel special like the Poole Lone Parent Fair.
How this cause brings people in the community together
SMILE families want to integrate, but there are often barriers in terms of child care, transport and cost. So, our SMILE community activities recognise the unique needs of such families (cheap transport, creche, etc.) and create safe places for families to meet, understand they are not alone and rebuild their self-esteem. As one parent said: "SMILE is about lone parenting not lonely parenting."