We have partnering with Fife Gingerbread to support lone parent families in Levenmouth facing poverty and intergenerational unemployment.
The partnership aims to support around 30 families over the next two years through Fife Gingerbread’s Early Years project, which works with vulnerable families with young children under the age of eight.
In Levenmouth, just under one in three (28.5%) children are living in relative poverty – far above the Scottish average of 16.3%. This means many children are growing up in households with family income well below the national average. For many of these families, long-term unemployment has spanned generations. This can affect wellbeing, school attendance and long-term aspirations.
Established in 1987, Fife Gingerbread works directly within communities, offering practical support, confidence-building programmes, peer groups and pathways into education, volunteering and employment.
This partnership will directly support early years families to build trusted relationships through groupwork and one-to-one support to improve confidence, employability skills and build peer support networks. This adds to the vital support we already provide via our Safe & Warm partnership network of over 130 charities and community organisations. The network has supported over one million vulnerable households to use energy safely, efficiently and affordably since it was established in 2021.
Fife Gingerbread CEO Laura Millar (pictured centre above) said: “Many lone parents face challenges that can feel overwhelming, especially in communities shaped by generations of unemployment. But with the right support, those barriers become stepping stones. Our Early Years project helps parents rewrite their story, opening the door to opportunity, confidence, and a brighter future for themselves and their children.
“We are deeply grateful to SGN for believing in this vision. Their investment means we can reach families who are often unseen and unheard, offering them hope, connection and the chance to thrive. Together, we’re not just supporting parents today, we’re helping create lasting change for their children and the generations that follow.”
We are delivering a pioneering green hydrogen energy project in Levenmouth. The H100 Fife project will be the UK’s first end-to-end hydrogen system – from green hydrogen production and secure storage through to safe use in homes. Since the start of H100 Fife in 2020, the project has partnered and supported local schools, charities and good causes.
SGN Stakeholder Manager Sarah Ballantyne (pictured second from right) said: “As part of our H100 Fife project in the area, we want to leave a lasting legacy in this community.
“The work Fife Gingerbread does makes a tangible difference to families who need support the most. We’re proud to invest in a programme that will help young parents realise their potential and create brighter futures for their children.”
One parent supported by the Early Years project is Kira who joined the programme in 2022 and is now planning to open her own business. Kira said: “Fife Gingerbread supported me massively with my confidence, mental health and with being a parent. They've been like a comfort blanket for the past six or seven years.
“Because of Fife Gingerbread, I'm starting up my own business being a nail technician. I'm now completely qualified thanks to my support worker pushing me to do it and not giving me the chance to give up even when I wanted to. Now I can do that and be an even better parent.”
