Mum's single parent group attracts thousands

A mum who set up a friendship group for single parents has said she is delighted to see it grow to thousands of members and become nationwide.

Krissie Edwards, 31, from Coventry, set up Single Parents Friendship and Community UK (SPFC) which has hit 4,200 members as it prepares to celebrate its first birthday on 7 February.

The mum-of-two said she had wanted to reach out to other people who understood her situation, and members now meet at events and via social media.

"I have met some of my best friends through this group now," she said.

SPFC's online presence includes a website and Facebook group.

Members also chat via WhatsApp communities, which include different groups, such as a Send parents' chat, local mums and widows' group.

It had become a "community in your pocket" offering support and friendship, Edwards said.

Members also meet at events, and at the weekend a group went on a walk at Ryton Pools Country Park in Coventry.

James Reddy, from Derby, said he had had custody of his two children for 10 years - but had not always found a group of friends that understood his situation.

The 50-year-old added: "When I talk to my friends sometimes and yes, they get it, but they also don't 'get it'.

"Whereas this group, they get it and they 'get it'. It's a brilliant little space for us all."

Toni Bird, from Coventry, echoed his comments and said she had made a "brilliant group of friends".

The 37-year-old added: "I was really nervous going along to my first meeting, I didn't really want to go.

"I put my 'big girl pants on' and decided to go and, since then, I'm out pretty much all the time now."

Events attract people from other areas, such as from Brighton, Leicester and Derby, but members were also branching off and hosting local events, Edwards explained.

At the weekend there were also SPFC activities in Leeds and Oldham.

"It is amazing because it is nationwide," she said, adding it had "grown legs" and spread rapidly.

Edwards said she had wanted to set up a community "for single parents who are struggling with isolation and need those friendships to build themselves a village".

"I have no other single parent friends really around me," she explained.

She said a lot of her friends were at "very different life stages", and it was difficult to understand being a single parent "unless you have lived it".

"It was nice to reach out to people who do get it," Edwards said.

"There are some really, really good friendships. And we come together and we support each other."

Edwards said as well as the adults, the children were also enjoying making friends and socialising.

SPFC is now registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC), and was not for profit, she said.

It will mark its birthday with a party which will include a band, children's entertainment and a photo booth.

Edwards added: "I think there's so many people that were on their own and felt on their own where as now they feel like they have a family. "

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