One Family launches next term of “New Futures” – Ireland’s only free employability programme for lone parents
One Family launches next term of “New Futures” – Ireland’s only free employability programme for lone parents
75% of programme graduates progress into further education or employment
For immediate release – Monday 18th August 2025
One Family, Ireland’s national organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting, and separating is looking for lone parents across Ireland who want to take the first step to change their life. The next term of the New Futures Employability Programme is starting in September 2025 with in-person classes in Dublin 2, and One Family are looking for lone parents to enroll.
Developed in response to the unique challenges faced by lone parents, the New Futures Employability Programme offers a tailored, person-centred approach to help parents gain essential skills to return to education or work. Running since 2006, the programme has proven to be very successful, with 75% of participants transitioning from social welfare payments to paid employment or further education.
The programme provides essential supports including:
- Childcare and travel subsidies (for in-person delivery)
- One-to-one mentoring and peer support
- Laptop loans.
Participants benefit from expert personal development and career coaching, peer support, and access to One Family’s wraparound services, including parenting support and counselling.
Valerie Maher, Programmes Manager, One Family said:
“We believe that every parent deserves the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their children. New Futures is a programme with a proven track-record of success, empowering lone parents with the confidence, skills, and support to take the first step to a new future for themselves.”
Michelle, New Futures Participant 2024:
“I was the shadow of the person I was before I started a New Futures course. I just lost all confidence in myself, I lost all confidence in my capabilities. Now I’m full of determination and ambition for the future and I’m much stronger and I’m more confident.”
Ivana, New Futures Participant 2024
“I felt quite stuck so I didn’t know what to do with my life a career wise and like balancing parenting and career is really difficult when you’re a lone parent. This programme helped me so much in my life because it’s helped me to see that small steps can lead to big results.”
ENDS
For media requests, contact Vicky Masterson, One Family Communications Manager, on 083 447 0645 or email vmasterson@onefamily.ie
Notes to Editor
Applications for the New Futures programme are now open and interested lone parents are encouraged to contact Employability Manager, Niamh Wynne by emailing programmes@onefamily.ie or calling 01 662 9212
For more information, visit https://onefamily.ie/education-development/employability-progammes_24/new-futures/
