THE lives of mums and dads and their children have been changed forever thanks to CatZero’s Lone Parents Programme.
The programme, which took single parents on a journey of discovery, ended its formal stage with a Celebration Event held at Hull Minister’s Trinity Parish Centre. Attended by the participants, programme team leaders and CatZero charity trustees, it was an opportunity for everyone to share the success and hear the positive outcomes that have already been achieved.
With follow-on appointments already in place, the parents are all looking at finding work – some already have – going back into education or exploring voluntary opportunities that fit around child care or school hours.
With financial support from the European Social Fund, the Lone Parents underwent an introductory event before taking part in a mix of educational and activity-based learning that included a work-day visit to Arco, mock interviews, health & safety and food hygiene courses, team building, cookery days and, of course, the sailing.
Programme leader Pete Tighe, praised all the participants, saying: “We are here to help you turn the words ‘I can’t into I can’, to help you un-knit the fog that is preventing you from succeeding. You are now all sitting here with smiles on your faces and you should be extremely proud.”
Trustee Charles Lewis added: “I am here to thank all of you, you make what we do a success.”
The event was also a chance for the participants to speak of their experiences.
Mum Laura said: “The team at CatZero believe in us and we then believe in ourselves. They have set us up to never say that ‘we can’t’ and we walk away with the skills to move forward in life. Everyone at CatZero makes this experience so very special, they are people who truly want you to do well. I now know that ‘I can, I will, I’m good at things and I will never put myself down again.”
Charlene added: “I was always the one to put myself down but doing CatZero has made me realise that I can do things, I now look at a better future for me and my son. I now know the person that I can be.”