A SHIPLEY school will be providing support for single mums to help better themselves.

Shipley CofE Primary School will be working with Bradford-based grassroots organisation Neesie on the programme, called Ladies First.

It will see the school, in Otley Road, providing creche facilities to single mothers from the local area to give them free time to take part in classes and workshops.

The school will be promoting the new partnership by hosting an event and coffee morning tomorrow that will be attended by Shipley MP Philip Davies.

It is hoped that the scheme will help the single mums learn the skills they need to build an “economically and emotionally stable home environment” for their children, in turn helping improve their attainment and learning at school.

Neesie is providing toys for the creche which will run during school hours and allow mums to attend the regular sessions.

The group works with local communities, schools, public and private sector businesses to provide opportunities for single mothers throughout Bradford.

Shipley CofE head teacher Angela Smith said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with Neesie and provide support for our single mums.

“We are hopeful that through this project we can provide any mum who is trying to bring up her children alone with the skills and support needed to nurture their children. In turn it will allow them to succeed both at school and as they move into adulthood.”

Noreen Khan, director of Neesie, said: “We are a local community organisation facilitating prosperity for single mums.

“The skills and learning we can provide will give them a platform to work from to allow their children to grow independently and better their lives.

“We provide practical solutions for vulnerable families and look for innovative and creative ways of engagement through partnership working.”

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive member for Education, Employment and Skills, said: “This is a great opportunity for single mothers.”