Pride of NZ Awards: Mum proves solo parents needn't be alone

Annika Rosandich says she's proud that 25 per cent of the solo parents she's helping are dads. Photo / Chris Loufte

Annika Rosandich - Lifetime Achievement

Annika Rosandich, solo mother of two, sat down one day and created a Facebook page.

It was called Solo Parents NZ and two years later, that little page with a few members has bloomed into a community of more than 2000 solo parents.

Miss Rosandich cried, then rang her mum, upon discovering she had been nominated for a Pride of New Zealand Award, in the Lifetime Achievement category.

"It's really emotional for me because this stems from my reality. I'm living this. I'm a solo parent. I get the hardships. I can relate.

"It makes me feel so special and blessed to be able to do this for other people."

The forum Miss Rosandich created offers support to solo parents through building networks and friendships as well as offering practical advice.

The organisation, which gained charity status in January, is still in a "seedling" stage, she said.

Among organising bank accounts, building a website from scratch and arranging meet-ups across the country, Miss Rosandich is planning big things for the future.

"I want to provide first aid courses that are either heavily subsidised or free because I think that it is just so important and I have had to use it a lot personally, with my children."

She is also in the process of setting up budgeting courses, workshops and free info nights. "I'm very lucky to have Blair Strang as a trustee, good friend of mine and family lawyer."

She is hoping to get the former Shortland Street star more involved with information evenings dealing with family law in a "comfortable environment".

While most of the solo parents are female, about 25 per cent are dads - a statistic of which Miss Rosandich is proud.

Most solo parent support is directed towards women, she said.

"So for me it's so important to connect these dads with each other, with other women and for them to know they're not alone."

Miss Rosandich said her work can be time consuming and sometimes demanding.

"I don't pretend at all to be a professional and expert in any of this.

"I'm lucky to be surrounded by such intelligent and supportive people."

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Nominations for the 2015 awards have now closed.
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For more information on the awards go to the official website.