It looks increasingly likely that SolMas, like many other events this year, will not go ahead.

But please read the next bit.....

It has become clear that lots of people are going to be hit really hard financially, by social isolating measures to prevent the spread of CV.

I personally know many single parents who are self employed and are having to close their businesses down. It is a terrifying time for lots of people, but even more so when you are solely responsible for the household income, the roof over your children‘s heads, and the food on the table. I know people who are genuinely unsure how they will be able to feed their children in the coming weeks.

In other countries the government have reassured citizens that they will be taken care of during these uncertain times. Mortgage and rent payments have been frozen. There will be sick pay. Our government has not yet put any of this support in, and people are understandably terrified.

So I am hoping if I keep sharing this crowd funding page that people will keep donating, but this time the funds will be used to help single parents who are on the verge of losing everything and need help with the absolute basic necessities.

We are all in this together ❤️

The next paragraphs are the original ones. SolMas might not go ahead in 2020 but we will be back. Stronger than before...

Being a single parent is hard, in lots of ways. Money is tight. There is no one to share the day to day highs and lows of life with. No time for yourself. It can be really lonely and overwhelming.

I started a group 5 years ago called Solo Mamas. I started the group because I was on my own with two tiny children and I wanted to meet others who were in a similar situation.

The group had 3 members in the beginning. Over the past 5 years it has grown to 130 members. It has provided a safe space for single mums to share their thoughts and feelings, somewhere to reach out where people understand and don‘t judge. We meet up, hang out together on weekends, and we have holidays. Lots of members of the group have said they do not know how they would have got through the ups and downs of life as a single parent without the group.

In August 2020 we are planning a festival to celebrate 5 years of Solo Mamas. It is a festival of well-being, where kids will be taken care of so mums can be taken care of. There will be music, dance, healing therapies and relaxation. Chances to make new friends, and to feel positive about being part of a supportive community.

If we can make it a success and build on that, we will use future festivals to fundraise for our crisis fund.

The festival is being organised and run entirely by volunteers. We have had such an amazing and positive response to what we are trying to do. But we desperately need help from donations in order to make this successful.

We will use donations to fund marquees, lighting, power and banners. We would also like to be able to offer sponsored places at the event for women on low incomes who cannot afford it otherwise.

Please consider giving anything you can to support this festival, to help raise up single parents and their children.

Many thanks for taking the time to read this and even if its only a very small donation we will be truly grateful 🙏❤️

It takes a village to raise a child.