Call for children's centres to tackle ‘loneliness' among parents

A survey of 2,000 parents by Action for Children found that nearly a quarter (24 per cent) feel lonely and cut off from friends and other sources of support.

A total of 22 per cent said their feelings of isolation grew since they had their first child. More than half (57 per cent) highlighted the importance of having a strong support network of other parents, says the charity.

Jan Leightley, managing director of operations at Action for Children, said: “Local services like our children’s centres can offer a real lifeline to parents who feel isolated – somewhere to meet and make friends.

"Staff there won’t judge if parents drop in looking for support. They can take part in activities like play sessions or parenting classes.”

The survey found that having more children can increase the sense of loneliness. While one in three (32 per cent) parents with three or more children felt regularly cut off and lonely, the proportion dropped to 26 per cent among parents with two children and 22 per cent for those with one child.

Leightley added: “It’s troubling to see that so many parents feel isolated. Having a network that you can call on is vital, to help celebrate your child’s achievements and share those funny moments or the tougher times, which all parents face.”

Last month Barnardo’s called for children’s centres to register more births as a key way of identifying vulnerable parents and offering them support.

Its report Fulfilling Their Potential found that birth registration is only offered as a service at children’s centres in 20 council areas.

Figures produced by government last month show that 250 children's centres closed between April 2010 and June 2015.