Helping young parents build confidence and connection can be the turning point toward brighter futures.
CashBack for Young Parents is delivered by Starcatchers in partnership with Fife Gingerbread, supporting families in Fife who are living in areas of deprivation and dealing with the impact of sexual violence and coercive relationships.
The programme offers a three-strand approach to supporting young parents:
One-to-one support: Led by Fife Gingerbread Project Workers, this strand provides tailored, needs-led support for young parents.
Group sessions: Starcatchers artists deliver weekly creative arts sessions in two Fife locations, offering shared experiences for young parents and their children to nurture peer support, build confidence, and strengthen community connections.
Mellow Ready: A 12-week training course on positive relationships, co-delivered by Fife Gingerbread and young parents in local high schools. This strand helps young people develop awareness of healthy relationships and break cycles of violence and intergenerational trauma.
Karla’s story
Karla and Evie are pseudonyms
Programme: Starcatchers (CashBack for Young Parents)
Before engaging with the CashBack for Young Parents programme, Karla was experiencing a number of challenges common to many young parents. She was socially isolated, had limited support networks, and was struggling with low confidence and self-esteem. As a young mum, Karla often felt judged and unsure of her parenting abilities, which impacted both her wellbeing and her ability to engage in community activities.
Before joining the programme, Karla had little opportunity for peer connection or personal development. Her wellbeing needs were identified through Fife Gingerbread’s early engagement work, where practitioners recognised her potential and the benefit she could gain from a nurturing and supportive group environment. She was encouraged to attend the Play & Explore sessions delivered in partnership with Starcatchers.
Growing Through Creative Engagement
When Karla first engaged with Fife Gingerbread, she was quiet, reserved, and hesitant to participate. Attending her first Play & Explore sessions with her baby, Evie, both appeared withdrawn, finding it difficult to settle into the unfamiliar group setting. However, with consistent encouragement and the safe, welcoming environment created by Fife Gingerbread and Starcatchers, Karla began attending more regularly.
A turning point came after a few weeks when Karla began initiating conversations with peers and practitioners something she hadn’t felt confident doing before. Her confidence grew steadily, supported by the routine and reassurance of the group and the relationships she formed with others in similar situations.
“Karla has since shared that she now feels a greater sense of belonging and connection to her community, which has reduced feelings of isolation.”
This change has been mirrored in her baby, Evie. Through Starcatchers engagement signals, staff observed Evie’s development as they became more settled, curious, and expressive in the play space. Evie’s increased independence and exploration are strong indicators of a nurturing and emotionally secure environment, one directly influenced by Karla’s improved wellbeing and confidence.
Karla is now looking to progress toward a formal qualification , marking another milestone in her journey.
A Positive Impact with Lasting Change
Karla experience of the CashBack programme has been overwhelmingly positive, with a clear progression in both her personal development and future opportunities. Through consistent attendance at Play & Explore sessions, Karla has built strong relationships with staff and peers, which has helped boost her confidence, self-worth, and parenting skills.
Feedback sessions show ongoing improvement in her emotional wellbeing, communication, and self-esteem, factors that have allowed both Karla and her baby, Evie, to fully engage in the creative, nurturing environment of the group.
“Karla has spoken about how much she values having a safe space where she feels listened to and supported.”
A significant milestone has been securing part-time employment something Karla previously didn’t believe was possible. The programme helped her recognise her strengths, prepare for the workplace, and feel ready to take that step.
Her success has inspired others, and and she has encouraged other young parents facing similar challenges to consider joining the programme.
Want to learn more?
- Find out more about Starcatchers Cashback funded projects
- Read their 2024-25 annual report to find out more about the project’s impact
- For more examples of how CashBack projects support children and young people towards positive destinations, see our 24-25 Impact report
