Introduction and summary

This is another major project that ESCD is undertaking and still waiting grants and partnerships in order to provide a full and finished service. One has to ask why we are willing to provide such a huge project. The results are as follows:

Ethnic (Mainly Somalis) single mothers often find themselves catapulted simultaneously into sole responsibility with children and other motherhood duties. Furthermore, many must come to terms with their new role and endeavour to establish an independent home quickly and with limited family support. We at the Equal Share Community Development identified the following main problems for Ethnic (Mainly Somalis) mothers establishing a secure and good life for themselves and their children.

• No one Ethnic Somali Community centre offered all the information and practical assistance needed in the initial days of setting up home, claiming benefits, if unemployed, and many mothers learnt about the housing and benefit system from word of mouth. Because of their illiteracy, many felt alienated from other ethnic voluntary support groups as they felt 'out of place' amongst other communities.
• Many families and friends could often afford to offer only very limited practical support. The circumstances of the birth could also mean that emotional support was lacking. Staying in the family home whilst waiting to be re-housed could strain relationships and lead to less support being available.
• Ethnic (Mainly Somalis) single mothers saw the local authority as the prime provider of housing and other benefits if not working. They however had very little information about other forms of tenure. They had difficulty finding suitable housing whilst remaining nearby to their families for support.
• Many Ethnic (Mainly Somalis) single mothers are dissatisfied with their life, mainly due to the nature of the situation that they found themselves in as most of them are divorcees or separated whilst their community see divorce women as social outcasts even though that attitude is changing rapidly.