One Parent Families Scotland has had confirmation that all of its funding from Glasgow City Council will be cut
A vital service for single parents in Glasgow has said it has been cut adrift by local politicians.
One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) was one of many organisations that missed out on Glasgow City Council Communities Funding.
A raft of organisations in the city said they faced closure and cuts to services following changes to the council's budget, with a £4 million Transition Fund being created to offer further support to organisations affected.
However the charity has now learned its further bid for funding to support single parent families in the city has been rejected.
OPFS chief executive Satwat Rehman said many single parents across Glasgow will be extremely concerned to hear the news.
She said: “Glasgow’s only dedicated single parent support service has been cut adrift by Glasgow City Council. Vital services are under threat as the council has now withdrawn funding which underpins this important part of Glasgow’s advice and equalities sector.
“We are very pleased for those charities who have been given a last minute reprieve, but we are devastated and at a loss to understand why our own crucial services have not been funded, particularly as councillors have said they prioritised ‘communities of interest’ and those hardest hit by the pandemic and resulting restrictions.”
During lockdown, OPFS staff made 4,949 deliveries of food and vouchers as well as essential items to families, provided 837 fuel grants and made 3,447 wellbeing calls to single parent families in local communities across Glasgow.
The charity has said it will continue to lobby politicians to reconsider their decision and help families who are in drastic need of support.
A council spokesman said: “Applications for grant support totalled well over double the total value of the fund and, unfortunately, this was always going to mean disappointment for some organisations with applications that scored less highly during assessment.
“However, it is important to be clear that no applicant received the full grant they sought – and that this was to ensure as many organisations as possible received at least partial support.
“Members have now agreed £4 million in additional funding to support organisations in key sectors while they develop sustainable financial models for the future.”
