A parent holding their child close on the beach
SPIN

Single Parent Information Network · Brighton & Hove and Sussex

Single parents, together.

SPIN supports single parent families in Brighton & Hove and Sussex. We share local events, training, jobs, free tickets and donations every day, and refer members for vouchers, support to other local organisations offering donated household goods and clothing.

Get support
Supported by
  • Brighton & Hove city counci logo
  • Dunelm logo
  • Pelican Parcels logo
  • National Trust logo
  • Enjoolata logo
  • Neighbourly logo
  • Data Bank logo
  • Toiletries Amnesty logo
  • BT logo
  • Benefact Group logo
  • Ansvar logo
  • TedX logo
  • Barclays logo
  • Good Things Foundation logo
  • Sussex Community Foundation logo

Browse by what you need

Being a single parent can be lonely, expensive and relentless. You are not alone.

Not sure where to start? Contact us and a volunteer will help.

A parent holding their baby close

Food & essentials

Food banks, supermarket vouchers, toiletries and free children's clothes through Pelican Parcels.

Find food help

Money & energy

Grocery and energy vouchers, help with white goods and furniture, discounted broadband.

See what you can claim

Advice & separation

Free legal advice routes, housing, benefits and the local and national organisations that can act.

Search organisations

Days out & discounts

Free tickets, National Trust and heritage days, plus discounts shared by members all year.

See what's on

The Facebook group is the front door.

Every day volunteers or members post local events, training, jobs, free tickets and donations. Members ask each other for advice, and the answers usually come from someone who have experienced the same situations.

  1. 1Join the group. It is free and anyone parenting alone or sharing care in Brighton & Hove and Sussex can join.
  2. 2Ask, or just read. No one has to share their story.
  3. 3We refer, collect and deliver, including donated items.
Join the Facebook group Free. No referral needed.
Two SPIN volunteers at the SPIN stall
“The team at SPIN is so hardworking, kind and supportive. You can really see the work done has made a difference to our members.” A SPIN volunteer
Rachel, Jo and Zoe from the SPIN team

Run by single parents, for single parents.

1,100+
adult members in our private Facebook group
2005
the year SPIN was founded, volunteer-run ever since
73%
of members find us through word of mouth
Find out more about us

Thank you so much for all you do for single parents. It makes a huge difference to us as being a single parent is never easy.

SPIN member, Household Support Fund 2024/25

In members' own words

About SPIN
SPIN volunteers sharing coffee and lunch together

“I came in with minimal work experience and you are really encouraged to work outside your comfort zone to grow and develop.”

Maddie, SPIN volunteer

Read more Families at Wakehurst's Community Festival with SPIN, May 2026

“The transport made such a huge difference and made the whole day feel so easy and stress free for us.”

Bianca, SPIN member, on our Wakehurst day out

Read more Donated toiletries sorted ready for SPIN families

“I am a disabled single parent with no family around, thank you so much for your help.”

SPIN member, Household Support Fund 2024/25

Read more SPIN volunteers at the community charity day stall, 2025

“Thank you for all the amazing solidarity and support.”

SPIN member, Household Support Fund 2024/25

Read more

Single parents in numbers

  • 7,229 single parent families in Brighton & Hove 2021 Census
  • 1 in 4 UK families with dependent children are headed by a single parent ONS, 2023
  • 3.3 million dependent children live in a single parent family ONS, 2023
  • 79% of SPIN members receive no maintenance from their ex-partner SPIN member survey
  • 61% of SPIN members share care, often instead of money SPIN member survey
  • 44% of children in single parent families are in poverty, against 26% in couple families DWP, 2024
  • 29% of single parent households are in fuel poverty, against 14% of couple households DESNZ, 2024
  • 13% of single parent households used a food bank in the last year, against 3% of couple households DWP, 2024

All the statistics

Questions parents ask us first

Who can join, is it free? and how to get in touch. The full list is on the FAQ page.

All questions
Who can join SPIN?
Anyone who has sole care of the child(ren) or shared care of child(ren) with the other parent. SPIN is a private group, so all single parents must be approved. Anyone interested in contacting SPIN can message help@spinbrighton.uk if they wish to discuss us posting on their behalf, but may not join the group unless they are actually a local single parent.
Does it cost to join SPIN?
It is entirely free! All single parents wishing to access our information network and any grants, donations, or tickets need to become a member first. Join our Facebook group.
Are there meet-ups?

Join our Facebook group first to meet other single parents online to organise small meetups. You are welcome to introduce yourself by sharing where you live, your children’s ages, and what you like to do if you want to connect with other members.

Currently, we are running a SPIN Meetup usually on a Wednesday morning once a month. For more information, please see our Facebook group or the events calendar. Some members meet up at events that are posted on the SPIN Facebook group. If you see something and want to meet another member, please post and invite others to contact you directly.

Are you insured for events and volunteering?
SPIN is insured by Zurich Insurance (policy number XAO1221128373). Public liability: £5,000,000.

Could you be our next volunteer?

SPIN is entirely volunteer-run. A few hours a week, most of it flexible, alongside a friendly team.

Why volunteer with SPIN

Member support, events, fundraising, IT or design. Volunteers say it is one of the most rewarding things they have done.

Read about volunteering

Meet the team

SPIN volunteers are single parents, students and local people who give a few hours a week. See who runs SPIN today.

Meet the team