MOTHER’S PRIDE
Lesley says setting up charity to help other single mums was driven by a desire to make her little boy proud
Cobalt blue court shoe, newlook.co.uk WHEN she became a single parent Lesley Robertson was determined to achieve something in life to make her son proud.
Now she is running Families Like Us, a charity she founded to support other parents.
And it recently received a funding boost from JK Rowling’s The Volant Charitable Trust, administered by Foundation Scotland.
Lesley, 35, who lives in Lanarkshire with her seven-year-old son Kyle, said: “JK Rowling was a bit like myself – a skint single parent who had an idea. That is me. All I had was an idea that I thought might work and it is working. We do really good work.”
She has launched an activity centre which has a soft play area and café in a former shoe shop in Larkhall for parents to bring their children.
“There’s no other place for parents to bring their kids and come and sit and have a coffee and meet people while their children play,” she said.
“There was a need for a place to go. We have educational toys to enhance social skills, an interactive village and soft play for physical activity.
“It’s small and open plan so parents can see the kids and can chat and have some breathing space. It’s a chance to meet new people.
“Being a parent is the hardest job in the world and can be isolating. Coming somewhere like this can help prevent mental health issues.
“We have an activity host who runs baby sessions, toddler sessions and arts and crafts. We also do monthly health and well-being sessions for parents such as yoga or meditation or massage.” She even offers a junior theatre academy after-school programme in the area to promote self-esteem and confidence in youngsters. Outside of the centre, Lesley organises help for underprivileged kids and raises funds for mums who have suffered domestic abuse. She hasn’t had it easy. Her son’s father left when she was pregnant and the idea for the club came when she was suffering from post-natal depression. She said: “I had the idea for this project about helping other lone parents feel better and more positive.” At first she ran roadshows with advice on everything from tax credits to fashion, hair, life-coaching, dating and cooking, then hit on the idea for a centre. Lesley had hoped to be a teacher but struggled with maths due to dyslexia – and changed direction. “I thought how can I go out and earn a good living and do a good thing. The idea came to me to create a place where parents could come with children.”
She launched the charity and the centre opened in September 2015. Although she struggled at first, the charity have gone on to secure funding from sources such as the Robertson Trust and the Big Lottery Fund as well as the Volant Trust.
“The reason I do the work I do is that I never wanted my son to feel he wasn’t good enough,” Lesley said.
“Kyle made me go out and want to change the world and make life better for parents. I want him to be really proud – because if it wasn’t for him, this place wouldn’t be here.
“It’s been hard but I just felt it was something I was meant to do.
“I wouldn’t change him for the world but it’s by no means easy. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, to be able to run the charity successfully and have a happy and confident boy.
“I would have loved a place I could come to like this.
“But it’s not just for those who may have a problem – it’s simply a nice place to go to get a bit of breathing space, which is very important if you’re a parent.”
JK Rowling was a bit like myself – a skint single parent with an idea