About OPEN
Lone parenthood can arise for many people. The routes into lone parenthood are many, e.g. separation, divorce, desertion, death, imprisonment of a partner or an unplanned pregnancy. Whatever the route, the consequences and impact are usually traumatic at number of levels for the lone parent and for his/her child(ren). A variety of supports are required to assist one parent families address the trauma and move forward. Lone parents in Ireland have come together to support each other in local self-help groups since the late 1980s.
OPEN was formed in 1994 by eight of those lone parent groups. Since our establishment we have been representing the views of local lone parent self-help groups nationwide. Our membership has grown from 8 to 90 groups since 1994. We have also joined a number of important initiatives including the Community Platform - through which OPEN currently participates in national social partnership - and the End Child Poverty Coalition, with a view to influencing national policy.
Mission
OPEN, the national network of local lone parent self-help groups represents the diversity of interests of lone parents (particularly those living in/or at risk of living in poverty) and promotes their inclusion and progression within wider society.
Objectives
Our mission translates into two key objectives:
- To assist member groups to strengthen their capacity to provide information, services and supports for lone parents (especially those who are isolated) living in their communities.
- To campaign for policy change that recognises family diversity, supports access to appropriate public services, economic independence and improves the quality of life for lone parents and their children.
Values
Respect: all individuals, groups and organisations making contact with OPEN are treated with respect. All enquiries from individual lone parents are dealt with in confidence. Member groups are centrally involved in the planning and delivery of all Network activities.
Inclusion: membership of OPEN groups is open to all lone parents who have responsibility for the care of a child(ren) regardless of their gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or membership of the Traveller Community.
Participation: All OPEN groups are treated equally and are eligible to nominate an individual/s from their group to sit on the Board of Management.
About this website
To find out more about this website click on About oneparent.ie
This page was updated on 29th April, 2008