Bringing up children is not easy, especially for single parents. But help is at hand from support group Gingerbread as reporter LOUISE TWEDDELL discovers.

HALFWAY through her pregnancy in 2003, Karen Thatcher realised her relationship with her partner and father to her unborn child was in tatters.

The 30-year-old admits the prospect of single-handedly juggling nappy changes with late-night feeds was not ideal but she was determined to succeed regardless.

Fortunately for Karen, who lives in Temple Hill, her family proved a huge source of comfort and support.

However, the same resource is not necessarily an option for the estimated 8,000 lone parents in north Kent.

Although content with her circumstances Karen, mum to three-year-old Luke, still felt isolated.

She said: "Most of my friends with children have partners and I wanted to meet people in the same situation as myself."

A year later she heard of Gingerbread, a national charity helping more than 1.8 million lone parents via 200 support groups across the England and Wales.

Combining her desire to meet people in similar circumstances and the benefits of constant support, Karen, who has spent the past three years training to be a masseuse, decided to set up a group in Dartford.

It took almost two years to turn her plan into reality and since April parents have met at 11am every Saturday at St Edmunds Church Living Well Centre, St Edmonds Road, Dartford.

Karen said: "At first I wasn't worried about becoming a single parent.

"I was quite confident about the future and realised I could bring up my son on my own.

"But if it wasn't for my family I don't know what I'd have done.

"Some people are less able to cope and don't have a family to rely on.

"I hoped by setting up the group to not only make new friends but also give help to others."

The group allows parents to share their experiences and worries but Karen is able to provide extra help by using the charity's resources.

She added: "It's not all about becoming friends.

"For example, if a parent is having issues with access I am able to put them in touch with someone within the charity who can advise them legally."

The group is still in its infancy and Karen would like to attract more members.

She said: "We're a small group and need more people to come and join us so we can do more things, have more outings and share more experiences.

"It's not just women who come. We have a dad too.

"Even grandparents who have custody of children would be welcome."

Karen added: "I'm so glad to have finally got this off the ground.

"It means a lot to me and I am sure there are lots of parents in Dartford who could benefit."

If you would like to join Dartford Gingerbread, call 0800 018 4318.

FRIENDSHIP AND ADVICE

  • GINGERBREAD was established nationally in the 1970s.
  • It helps families to help themselves by supporting social networks of friendship and support.
  • The charity can provide advice via its confidential free phone service dealing with problems from benefits to access.
  • In 2004 it received more than 5,000 calls for help.
  • For further information, visit gingerbread.org.uk or call the London office on 020 7403 9500.