Funding sought for Dundee project aimed at supporting teen mums
The 'Bringing Up Baby' 'Kindred Clothing' scheme helps young parents out financially, by teaching them how to sew clothes for their children.
Teenage parents in Dundee are learning to sew their own clothes for their children in an effort to save money, and meet other young families.
Led by Front Lounge, the new ‘Bringing Up Baby’ ‘Kindred Clothing’ project is about building the skills, confidence and networks of vulnerable, young families by supporting parents under the age of twenty.
The project has been shortlisted for a £50,000 National Lottery grant which could transform the lives and skillset of dozens of teenage parent families throughout the city.
Alice Stuart, who has a 2-year-old daughter, Lilly, and the brainchild behind the scheme helps the young parents with the making side of the project. She said, “I first became involved with BUBS when Lily was a few months old.
"To me, it was all about meeting other mums in a similar position and doing something productive. When you’re a young mum, it’s easy to stay in and hide away but that can do more harm than good.”
18- year -old Hannah Watson, who started attending BUBS late last year. With one year old daughter Grace, Hannah was ‘keen to meet other mums and dads while also doing something productive’.
Meanwhile, Zoe Smith, 20 year old mum to one year old Tilly added, “I started coming along to BUBS to get my daughter interacting with other kids. BUBS is a happy, friendly environment, a place where you can learn new things and have experiences outside your comfort zone.
"I love getting the chance to learn new things! BUBS has a good mix of different ages of young parents and I like the fact that it is not cliquey.”
Chika Inatimi, Project Leader believes the project will have far-reaching rewards, not just for parents but the wider community.
She said: “Kindred Clothing has the potential to be huge and is such an amazing project. Helping parents who feel isolated due to financial challenges, restricted access to transport and a chronic lack of confidence, the project is free and entirely peer-led - it’s already helping overcome the barriers that reinforce the sense of isolation.
"In addition, meeting others in similar circumstances who share similar interests can be very encouraging, especially when mums, dads and children can all learn and play alongside each other.
"Some of the most profound outcomes BUBS has witnessed over the years is the strong friendships that have formed".