Lone parents can learn skills on free courses

Lone parents can learn a range of skills, including food hygiene, first aid and interview techniques, on free child-friendly courses set up in High Wycombe and Chesham over the coming months.

These ‘Future Steps’ courses have been created for single parents claiming income support and who have a child under the age offive years.

The weekly sessions, co-ordinated by Buckinghamshire County Council in collaboration with Jobcentre Plus and Connexions, will also offer free childcare and travel. The childcare element is provided at a Children’s Centre, where parents can learn in a separate room to where their children are being cared for.

The next course begins on Monday April 18 at Waterside Children’s Centre in Chesham from 10am until 3pm. It will continue every Monday at the same time for a further eight weeks. Another course begins on Wednesday April 20 at Hampden Way Children’s Centre, High Wycombe, and continues every Wednesday for a further eight weeks – times to be advised. These courses are for lone parents aged 25 years or over.
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?“This is part of our Council’s Well Being programme, to build the confidence of lone parents and is aimed at helping to get people into work or training. We do hope as many lone parents as possible take up this opportunity,” said Martin Phillips, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health. “We have tried to make this as easy as possible for parents by offering them free childcare while they are learning, so there should be nothing to stop them enrolling.”

To apply for a place on the courses, or for more advice, speak to your adviser at Jobcentre Plus orring Jo (Connexions) on 07921 491690.