More families across Scotland will get access to the help they need, where and when they need it – as local projects receive a funding boost from the Scottish Government.
Grants of up to £80,000 have been awarded to 12 projects undertaking a range of work, including:
- helping families to access health services
- providing money and budgeting advice
- supporting employees to work flexibly around their family life
The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund invests in innovative, local projects to tackle child poverty – a commitment in this year’s Programme for Government.
First Minister John Swinney welcomed the announcement on a visit to CentreStage, a performing arts charity in Kilmarnock.
Later today (Tuesday 8 October) the First Minister will also meet people with experience of poverty at Bute House, before leading a Parliamentary debate as part of Challenge Poverty Week.
The First Minister said: “Organisations like CentreStage demonstrate how the government is working closely with communities, local government and the third sector to help families facing challenges right now.
“My national mission to end child poverty is underpinned by the importance of this type of collaboration.
“We want to see this community-focussed approach replicated across Scotland. That’s why our Fairer Future Partnerships are expanding to five new areas across Scotland – joining up local services, offering financial advice and supporting parents into work.
“Engaging people with experience of poverty as we build these services is at the heart of the government’s approach – and we are building on the strong foundations we have laid to end poverty in Scotland.
“The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund will kick-start another 12 innovative projects across the country to give even more families the help and support they need.”
List of projects to receive grants from Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund:
| Area | Project |
| West Lothian | Identifying and addressing unmet need among low-income families |
| Fife | Embedding income maximisation across children’s health services aligning with a preventative and proactive care programme |
| East Lothian | What Matters? Collecting, measuring and using data that is meaningful to families in East Lothian |
| Aberdeen City | Evaluation and design of lone parent employability support to inform and direct future provision |
| East Renfrewshire | Flexible for families employer scheme |
| South Ayrshire | Exploring interconnection between child poverty and additional support needs: enhancing neurodiverse parenting support in South Ayrshire through preventative family wellbeing approaches |
| Dumfries & Galloway | Accessible Financial Wellbeing Support for Priority Families Project |
| Grampian | Health Equity & Learning Project (HELP), identifying and addressing barriers for families accessing NHS services |
| Scottish Borders | Money advice and budgeting support for families in the Scottish Borders |
| Edinburgh | Challenging poverty related stigma |
| Stirling | Early intervention family engagement |
| Tayside | Dundee Dads Rock |
Challenge Poverty Week is a Poverty Alliance initiative which has taken place every year since 2013. This year it will take place from 7–13 Oct, with organisations across Scotland coming together to highlight the injustice of poverty in Scotland.
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