Taking on all the responsibilities for the family in very difficult circumstances, often they just need another adult to offer a sympathetic listening ear. The Gingerbread Advice Line provides information and advice on rights and responsibilities, exploration of options for dealing with problems and opportunities, a listening ear and emotional support to lone parent families in crisis, better off in work calculations and signposting to other organisations. The Gingerbread Advice Line offers lone parents a quality service Staff and volunteers are all trained and become specialists in advising lone parents on a wide range of topics. Our paid Advice Line staff have experience in the law and CAB service. Volunteers undergo a six month training programme both in house and at courses run by Shelter, Maternity Alliance, London Advice Services Alliance, and Broadcasting Support Services.
Volunteers work under the supervision of one of the paid staff.
Records are kept of the enquiries received and the advice given and these are used for quality control, as a training tool and to produce statistical returns as required by the National Council of Gingerbread and by funders. The Advice Line operates a strict confidential policy so as to create a safe environment in which callers feel able to speak freely. Gingerbread is a founder member of Telephone Helplines Association and a member of the Federation of Independent Advice Centres.