Tag: Children and Families

Mental health support for new mums

Rollout of £1 million for counselling and befriending.

New mums at risk of poor mental health will be given access to increased support including counselling and befriending services.

The rollout is part of a £50 million investment in mental health services for new mums, babies and young children announced by the First Minister earlier this year.

An initial £1 million will support several key areas, including helping the third sector provide counselling, befriending and peer support for women and their families.

The funding will see new and expectant mothers get more consistent access to psychological assessment and treatment.

It will also be used to increase staffing and training at Mother and Baby Units for the 2,250 women with the most serious illnesses and to develop mental health services for babies.

Announcing the funding at Aberlour children’s charity, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “It’s crucial that these services are led by the needs of women, young children and families.

“We have sought the views of people who have experienced mental health issues during and after pregnancy – their voices have influenced where this money will go and the services it will deliver.

“Our vision is of a Scotland where women, young children and families do not face fear or stigma when experiencing mental health issues.”

Aberlour Chief Executive SallyAnn Kelly said: “I welcome this funding for third sector organisations who are striving to deliver high quality perinatal services to new parents and parents-to-be. To give children the best start in life, it is vital we support parents effectively.

“Aberlour has worked with over 300 families across Forth Valley and East Lothian but our ambition is to roll the Perinatal Befriending Service out across Scotland so that every parent, no matter where they live, has access to personalised support and assistance when and where they need it most.”

 

New Lanark to host inaugural Book Festival   

                  

 As a historic hub of learning and leisure, New Lanark World Heritage Site is delighted to hold its inaugural Book Festival on  Saturday 14th September. Come along for the wonderful opportunity to meet and chat with award-winning children’s authors Chae Strathie & Keith Charters in interactive and engaging sessions.

Chae Strathie is the author of many funny fabulous and whimsical stories like ‘Jumblebum’, the ‘Fabulous Flapdoodles and T-Rex on Tour’,  ‘What if you had a dinosaur as a penpal?’  and ‘What was it like to be a kid in ancient Egypt?’ Chae’s books are recommended for age  4-7 year olds.

Keith Charters will also be at New Lanark on the 14th September, when you can meet the character of his books ‘Lee’ and his family on their hilarious adventures. What would you do if there were Consul Mutants taking over the world or you were the first kid in space?  Keith’s books are recommended for age 8-12 year olds.

For only £5 per child, children can be transported into the magical world of literature with Scotland’s best children’s authors at New Lanark.

NEW LANARK BOOK FESTIVAL 2019

Saturday 14th September 2019

Tickets can be booked via this link or via www.newlanark.org

Bookbug shortlist announced

Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, has announced the shortlist for the 2020 Bookbug Picture Book Prize.

The Bookbug mascot jumped on board the Browns Book Bus to launch the annual prize, as the vote is opened to schools and the public. Continue reading Bookbug shortlist announced

Best Start Grant: greater support for low income families

poverty family JRF

The new Best Start Grant package is putting more money in the pockets of low income families than the DWP system it replaced.

Since it started making Best Start Grant payments last December, Social Security Scotland has made more than 42,000 payments to families in Scotland, totalling £12.9 million. Continue reading Best Start Grant: greater support for low income families

Scottish Book Trust launches anti-poverty campaign

As Scottish Book Trust marks its 21st anniversary, the independent national charity transforming lives through reading and writing has launched a new fundraising campaign to provide crucial support to vulnerable families and help fight the effects of living in poverty through reading and books. Continue reading Scottish Book Trust launches anti-poverty campaign