For more than 25 years The Rendezvous has supported hundreds of young parents and their children through its Young Parents’ group.  We’ve helped improve living circumstances by resolving housing problems, taught budgeting and money management, advocated on their behalf with professionals; and even assisted in cases of domestic violence, working alongside police and social workers to help keep parents and children safe.

The groups have always been fun and lively, with painting, making and playing on offer. Working together with parents, through shared tears or laughter (and of course coffee and cake) has been a pleasure. Those arriving lonely and isolated left with friends, their own peer support network and renewed confidence in their parenting skills.

However, the needs of young parents are changing, as are the demands on our services, and we need to adapt accordingly. It’s hard to say goodbye to a format that has worked so well but we know it is the right decision to look afresh at the provision we make. Funding for our Young Parents’ group has become increasingly difficult to secure, our staff lead is moving on, and there is now so much more practical advice and information available online for young parents to access at a time to suit them.

Therefore, whilst our Young Parents’ group comes to an end in August 2025, our support for all young people very much continues. We invite everybody under the age of 25, regardless of whether they are parents or not, to come to us for support, including advice on housing and benefits. Our door is open to any young person who needs help, whether that’s guidance, reassurance, or simply someone to listen to their concerns.

Finally, we say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported our Young Parents’ group over the years and extend our very best wishes to those young parents, many of them now not so young, who have benefited from our help. We are grateful to all members of The Rendezvous, past and present, who have steered the group with such care and commitment.  

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at the centre on 01935 814486 or wellbeing@therendezvous.org.uk — we are here for all young people under the age of 25, including those with children.