75% of programme graduates progress into further education or employment
For immediate release – Wednesday 20th 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 New Futures is starting in September 2025 and One Family are looking for lone parents to enrol in the online course.
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:
- Personal development: Communication skills, stress management, goal-setting and developing self-confidence
- Support: Connect with other lone parents in online workshops and benefit from individualised 1-to-1 support sessions
- Employment skills: Creating and updating CV’s, mock interviews and exploring pathways to further education or employment
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.”
Nadine, New Futures Participant 2024:
“I’m so glad that I decided to do the New Futures course. They support you every step of the way and helped me through every wobble (there were a few). The thoughts of doing a course through zoom filled me with dread but honestly it was so good. It was lovely to be able to meet and chat with other lone parents who are going through similar struggles as me. My support worker was amazing every week. Giving support, genuine encouragement and positivity all the time. I honestly can’t recommend the course enough. It’s really helped me take those daunting first steps to returning to work/education.”
Kathleen, New Futures Participant 2024
“When I signed up for the New Futures Employability Programme, I did not expect the life line of support I received. This course is excellent; I would highly recommend it to mothers who are parenting alone and would like to get back to explore what opportunities are out there for them. It has helped me to clarity what aspects of my journey I needed to become clear on so I could set some goals for myself going forward. This course has helped me not just to survive but to thrive.”
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/