Tag: Children and Families

Funding for food and activities during the summer holidays

More children and young people will benefit from a nutritious meal and a place to play this summer holiday.

Charities and councils will increase support for children from low income families during the school holidays, backed by £350,000 from the Scottish Government.

National charity Cash for Kids, CentreStage in Ayrshire, Community Food Initiatives North East, Moray Food Plus, and Milton Holiday Hub in the Highlands will share the funding.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “The school holidays are a time for fun, but I know it can be a struggle for families when schools are closed.

“That is why we are working in partnership with the third sector and councils to provide more places where children and young people can go during the school holidays to play, socialise, and, importantly, have a nutritious meal.

“We know that income is a key driver of food insecurity during the school holidays – our new Scottish Child Payment, worth £10 per week per eligible child, will lift 30,000 children out of poverty by 2023-24.”

Chief Executive of Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) Dave Simmers said: “CFINE is delighted and appreciates the financial support we get through the Scottish Government which we will use to feed over 400 children per day through the summer holidays.

“Working in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, AFC Community Trust, Sport Aberdeen and others, and with Scottish Government support, ‘Food and Fun’ will provide the children with delicious, healthy meals combined with active, fun activities. This makes a huge difference to low income families in the city.”

 

Community Alcohol Partnership launched in North Edinburgh

North Edinburgh has a new Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) based at Drylaw covering the Forth and Inverleith wards. The CAP was launched at Spartans Community Football Academy yesterday, and over the coming weeks more community groups and youth organisations will have the opportunity to help develop and contribute to a local Action Plan. Continue reading Community Alcohol Partnership launched in North Edinburgh

New report highlights the success of the Family Nurse Partnership

Over 7000 young mothers and their new-borns have received valuable support through an innovative programme led by specially trained nurses and midwives. Continue reading New report highlights the success of the Family Nurse Partnership

#KidsCantWait: First Minister urged to speed up child poverty benefit

More than 70 leaders and organisations from across Scottish society have joined together to call on the First Minister to speed up the introduction of a new income supplement to tackle child poverty. Continue reading #KidsCantWait: First Minister urged to speed up child poverty benefit

Chatterbooks is back at Muirhouse Library

CHATTERBOOKS IS BACK!!!

The book group with a twist is back at Muirhouse Library, with loads of fun activities, quizzes, crafts and of course, loads of awesome books to read and talk about!

Starting Tuesday 2nd July and every Tuesday after

2pm – 2.45pm during the summer holidays, 3.15pm – 4pm when schools are back!

Summer Fair Party at the Commie Pool

Summer Fair Party

Thursday, 8 August, 4 – 6pm

Royal Commonwealth Pool, Dalkeith Road

Join Edinburgh Leisure for two hours of all the fun of a summer fair plus soft play at Clambers, where little ones can climb their walls and burn off all the pent-up energy, plus a disco plus a free healthy slush to keep cool. Continue reading Summer Fair Party at the Commie Pool

New benefit for teenage carers to launch in autumn

Young carers in Scotland aged 16 to 18 could benefit from a new £300 social security payment.

The Young Carer Grant is the first of its kind in the UK. It will be available to 16, 17 and 18 year olds who help care for someone in receipt of a certain type of disability benefit. The payment will be introduced this autumn.

Following feedback from young carers, eligiblity is being widened to include all 18-year-olds, not just those in education.

In a further another extension of the policy, young carers will now also be able to combine the hours they spend caring for more than one eligible person in order to reach the 16 hours a week requirement.

Young carers will also be able to take respite weeks without this impacting upon their application.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are using our new social security powers to recognise the extraordinary contribution young carers make to the lives of those they care for.

“This is the first time young carers aged 16 to 18 will be given a cash benefit to spend as they choose. We will be making these payments at what could be a pivotal stage in their lives – when they may be finishing school, looking for employment or starting further education or training.

“Young carers make an invaluable contribution to society but many have difficulty participating in the normal activities their peers can enjoy. The Young Carer Grant will help ensure they are treated with the dignity, fairness and respect they deserve.”

The Scottish Government is investing £600,000 to support nearly 2000 young carers in 2019/20.

The Young Carer Grant will open for applications in autumn this year and applications can be made online, over the phone or by post.