With SMILE, lone parenting doesn’t need to be lonely parenting’
SMILE provides support, activities and friendship for single parent families. Our goal is to create a community of families who support each other and live everyday to the full.
SMILE provides three types of support: SMILE VIP sessions with other lone parent families, SMILE PLUS activities with other community groups in churches and SMILE CONNECT an online community.
As a SMILE community our values are: inclusivity, kindness, respectfulness, learning, empowerment, trust and responsibility. You can see a full description of our values below.
If you would like to volunteer with SMILE please email us using the contact form below (please select Volunteer & Fundraise as your subject) – we look forward to hearing from you.
Annual Review 2025: Accepted, Supported & Empowered
Our SMILE project has supported 81 single parent families throughout 2025 – read our latest annual review here…
Single Parent Help & Support at SMILE
SMILE VIP – ReGENerate Community Meal
In partnership with Parkstone URC.
*Please note the ReGENerate Community Meal is currently on hold.
Cost: £1 per person
Join us for fun, friendship, games, snacks and a home cooked meal – we are an accessible space, all are welcome especially children with Special Education Needs and disabilities. Booking is essential – contact Lucy to book your spaces on 07944 171432.
Day: 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month
Time: 4pm-6pm
Where: Parkstone United Reformed Church, 16 Commercial Road, Poole, BH14 0JW
SMILE VIP – Smile Coffee
Catch up with old friends and meet new ones at this relaxed group. A chance to wind down at the end of the week.
Day: Fridays (term-time only)
Time: 9.30am – 11.30am
Where: Longfleet Baptist Church, 138 Wimborne Rd, Poole BH15 2EX
SMILE Community – Days Out, Retreats & Special Events
Days out, retreats, and special events are also held across Dorset throughout the year. These events are often free or low cost to ensure they are as affordable as possible.
These have included day and weekend retreats at The Greenhouse Christian Centre in Poole, activity days at Project Manna, watersports days, beach days and more!
Latest News & Events
Free Kids’ Pizza Making Session, Wimborne Community Garden
Join the wonderful volunteers at Wimborne Community Garden to learn how to make delicious homemade pizzas using vegetables grown in the garden. Wimborne Community Garden is a place for the community to come together,
SMILE’s Free Lone Parent Fair Reaches a Milestone 10th Year
We were delighted to see over 200 people at the 10th SMILE Lone Parent Fair, including 60 families, 76 volunteers and a further 15 children and young people volunteering! This year’s fair included a
Help Make the SMILE Lone Parent Fair Amazing!
SMILE’s Lone Parent Fair takes place on Saturday 4th July 2026, and we’re looking for support from our wonderful community to help make it a fantastic day for solo parent families. The Lone Parent
Free Kids’ Pizza Making Session, Wimborne Community Garden
Join the wonderful volunteers at Wimborne Community Garden to learn how to make delicious homemade pizzas using vegetables grown in the garden. Wimborne Community Garden is a place for the community to come together,
SMILE’s Free Lone Parent Fair Reaches a Milestone 10th Year
We were delighted to see over 200 people at the 10th SMILE Lone Parent Fair, including 60 families, 76 volunteers and a further 15 children and young people volunteering! This year’s fair included a
Help Make the SMILE Lone Parent Fair Amazing!
SMILE’s Lone Parent Fair takes place on Saturday 4th July 2026, and we’re looking for support from our wonderful community to help make it a fantastic day for solo parent families. The Lone Parent
We are so grateful for our SMILE funders
