Blue Sky CIC
Empowering Lone Parents to Thrive
BlueSky CIC exists to ensure no lone parent has to face hardship alone. We support both mums and dads, with a priority focus on those experiencing financial hardship, domestic abuse, or bereavement.
While others signpost, we step in.
Blue Sky Reach is our practical family support programme, created to respond when families need help most. We provide hands-on support, including food, essential items, and emergency assistance. By removing these “survival barriers,” we give parents the breathing space they need to stabilise their situation, provide for their children, and begin rebuilding a life of independence.
Alongside practical support, we are dedicated to empowering lone parents to reach their full potential and become positive role models for their children. We know that a parent’s well-being is key to a child’s development — a vital factor that is sometimes overlooked.
Our holistic approach includes:
- Advocacy and Family Hardship Support (food, essential items, emergency assistance)
- Life Coaching for Parents and Teens
- Career Guidance and Personal Growth Support
- Health, Wellness & Creative Programmes (including Creative Writing Workshops for ages 8+ and free CLCS Gym membership)
Through these services, parents, children, and teenagers build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop healthy coping skills in a safe and nurturing environment. By supporting the whole family, we help parents regain stability while ensuring children feel safe, heard, and empowered — creating lasting positive change and showing the next generation that anything is possible.
We are proud to be supported by Essex County Council, Essex Community Foundation, Chrysalis Trust, EALC, and Anglian Community Trust. Their backing allows us to continue transforming lives and strengthening families across Colchester and beyond.
Our Goal
Becoming a lone parent is a journey for which no one is ever fully prepared. Our goal at Blue Sky is to ease the fear, forget the past, focus on the present, and dream of the future. We aim to provide the support and resources necessary for lone parents to navigate this journey confidently and successfully.
Role Models for Resilience
By achieving their goals and aspirations, lone parents become powerful role models for their children. They show that the obstacles in life can be overcome and that personal and professional growth is attainable regardless of circumstances. These parents teach their children the value of hard work, dedication, and resilience
Inspiring Future Generations
The ambition and success of lone parents will inspire their children to dream bigger and reach higher. As these children witness their parents’ achievements, they will be motivated to pursue their own ambitions with confidence and determination. This creates a cycle of empowerment and ambition that extends beyond the immediate family and into the community.
Stories of Strength and Hope with Blue Sky
Supporting Parents into Business
Parent A came to us with an idea to start a home-based cleaning business but didn’t know where to begin. Together, we worked through her business plan, identified her target audience, and created a simple roadmap to get started. With the right structure and support, she gained the confidence to take her first steps into self-employment.
Parent B had a passion for baking and wanted to turn it into a small business. We supported her in defining her niche, understanding her customers, and developing her brand identity. From pricing to presentation, she began to see her idea as a real business, not just a hobby.
Parent C wanted to offer handmade products but felt overwhelmed by where to start. We helped break things down into manageable steps — from planning and branding to connecting with the right opportunities and platforms. With ongoing guidance, she began building something she could grow at her own pace.
Hannah’s Journey to Rebuilding Her Life – Hannah lost custody of her children when she was a young mother. At the time, she struggled with responsibility and lacked the necessary skills to provide a stable home. Years later, having grown and matured, she was determined to turn her life around and reunite with her children.
When Hannah came to Blue Sky, she had no formal education or work experience. We explored her interests and hidden talents, encouraging her to pursue a career she would love. With our support, she discovered her passion for hairstyling. We connected her with a professional training institution where she could develop her skills and work toward financial independence.
We are incredibly proud of Hannah’s progress and hopeful that, with dedication and perseverance, she will continue to thrive. One day, we hope to see her reunite with her children and provide them with the stable, loving home they deserve.
Mark’s Fight for His Children – Mark, a devoted single father, faced an unexpected and heartbreaking challenge when the mother of his children took them away without a court order. She informed their school that Mark was not allowed near them, preventing him from seeing his children for a long time.
Blue Sky acts as an advocacy and provides support. Our team worked closely with him to explore legal options and find a way to restore his parental rights. We continue to stand by Mark, offering guidance and resources to help him navigate the legal system and fight for his right to be in his children’s lives.
While the journey is ongoing, Mark is no longer alone. With Blue Sky advocating for him, we are hopeful that he will soon be able to reunite with his children and rebuild their bond.
Kateryna’s New Beginning in a Foreign Land – Kateryna, a single mother from Ukraine, faced deep loneliness and isolation after moving to a new country with her daughter. She had no support system, no friends, and struggled to adjust to her new life.
When Kateryna joined our Blue Sky Parents Group, she found a welcoming community that provided her with friendship, support, and encouragement. Understanding her need for stability, we are now helping her find a part-time job that fits around school hours, allowing her to balance work and parenting.
At the same time, Kateryna’s daughter has joined our Kids Need Dads program, ensuring she has a positive male role model in her life. With continued support, we believe Kateryna will flourish in her new home, creating a bright future for herself and her daughter.
Jenna’s Courage to Inspire Others – Jenna, a mother of four, survived an abusive relationship and finally found the strength to leave two years ago. Since then, she has felt happier and safer, but being a single mother of four presents daily challenges.
Despite her struggles, Jenna has a dream – to become a counselor and support others who have experienced domestic abuse. At Blue Sky, we admire her courage and ambition. We are actively working to help her enroll in a suitable training program that allows her to gain professional qualifications while still caring for her children.
In addition, Jenna’s children have also joined our Kids Need Dads program, where they receive guidance, mentorship, and support to help them heal and grow. Having access to positive male role models has given them a sense of stability and encouragement as they adjust to their new life.
We believe in Jenna’s potential and are excited to see her achieve her dream of becoming a counselor. Not only will she create a better future for her children, but she will also be a source of strength and inspiration for others.
What our volunteer says:
COME JOIN US
Be part of a community dedicated to empowering single parents and their children. At Blue Sky CIC, we provide support, opportunities, and a safe space for families to connect, grow, and thrive. Whether you’re looking for guidance, friendship, or a way to give back, there’s a place for you here. Together, we can create a brighter future – one family at a time. Join us today and make a difference!
We are proud to be funded by
