History

The organisation Gingerbread was formed in 1970 by a lone mother in London – Tessa Fothergill. Her marriage had recently broken down and she found being a lone parent such a struggle she decided to set up a self-help organisation. The Sunday Times picked up on her story and featured an article on her and her situation. From all across the country, hundreds of parents in similar situations got in touch with her.

Soon Gingerbread groups were formed all over the United Kingdom and in 1985 Scottish members felt they were strong enough to run an autonomous organisation and Gingerbread Scotland was created.

In 1987 Fife Federation of Gingerbread was established and in 2002 the name was changed to Fife Gingerbread.

Since then life has changed dramatically, marriage rates are lower, the divorce rate has trebled, and latest figures (2001) show one in four will experience the difficulties faced by lone parenting and this period will last approximately five years.

So, at a time when you can feel like you are on your own, that nobody else is going through the situation that you face, you can be assured you are definitely not. The figures show there are 10,500 lone parents in Fife.

This means, through our services we have the opportunity to provide lone parents with support networks throughout Fife.