Engaging Teen Parents
Teen Parent Project Revels in Success
Levenmouth’s Teen Parent Project is revelling in success as a recent study highlighted the essential work they do within the community. The study, entitled Engaging Teen Parents, was undertaken by Reid Howie Associates, specialists in all forms of public and social policy research and evaluation, and highlights all aspects of the project and the key results it has produced amongst its target group. The project, currently being piloted in the Levenmouth area, is now into its third year and has seen the success of the project increase hugely year by year.
The project came about due to a Health & Wellbeing Alliance priority highlighting the high number of teen parents in the Levenmouth area, many of whom weren’t engaging with support services.
Throughout the term of the project its worker, Heather Gilmour, has engaged with over 60 teen parents and through one to one support, group support, advocacy and information and advice she has helped the teens become confident parents and individuals as well as helping them to achieve their potential. Many have gone on to return to education, begin volunteering opportunities and some have managed to secure employment.
“Teen parents tend to get a bad press,” says Teen Parent Worker, Heather Gilmour, “but all of them want what’s best for their family and deserve the chance to make the most of their potential. We have really been overwhelmed by the success of the project showing that there is very much a need to have such a service available to teen parents not just in Levenmouth but all over the area.” And despite the challenges, Heather remains optimistic about the positive outcomes of the project. “Working with the teens is very satisfying and watching them grow is a wonderfully rewarding experience. With all the terrible news from our communities such as poverty and crime, it’s great to have a positive outcome that might just change the lives of parents and their children.”
With the success and achievements of the project as a whole, it is hoped that the project can be rolled out to other areas of Fife where there is a need of the service.
To view and read the report, please click on the link below.
Engaging Teen Parents (456 kB)
Executive Summary (
Our Mum's the Word event was a huge success with representatives in attendance from across Fife as well as the majority of the teen mums and dads who had participated with the project. If you would like to keep up to date with future events for the project and Fife Gingerbread then please subscribe to our e-newsletter by filling in your details on the home page.
