Michelle, a mother of three from Edinburgh has shared the impact Scottish Child Payment is having in her daughter’s life
“One of my daughters has autism and ADHD, and Scottish Child Payment allows me to do activities that calm her down and make her happy and that makes a massive difference.”
Figures released yesterday reveal that Michelle’s daughter is just one of 326,255 children who are actively benefiting from Scottish Child Payment.
Scottish Child Payment is unique to Scotland and provides financial support for families, helping with the costs of caring for a child. It is a weekly payment, currently worth £27.15, for every eligible child that a parent or carer looks after who’s under 16 years of age.
Michelle said: “Scottish Child Payment is something that helps you and helps your children when you’re in a difficult financial situation.
“I think there’s sometimes a stigma around applying for it, especially as a single mother, but I highly recommend that those who have yet to apply for it do so.”
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority and a national mission.
“Today’s figure show that the Scottish Government is supporting 233,040 individual clients and 326,255 children throughout Scotland, with over 7.5 million paid out in Scottish Child Payment.
“These payments are actively improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Scotland – helping their families to access essentials and experiences they might otherwise miss out on because they live on a low income.
“In the coming year it is forecast we’ll invest a further £471 million, ensuring that this support continues to reach even more families and children who need it.”
We would urge those who are thinking of applying for financial support, to check their eligibility and start their application today.”
The team at Amazon in Dunfermline has donated £3,000 worth of ride-along push cars to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity supports children facing potentially life-changing visits to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP). The charity provides reassurance, distraction and fun for children during their hospital visits.
One way the charity provides distraction is through the ride along push cars for children’s travel around the hospital, including to operations and appointments. To support the initiative, Amazon in Dunfermline has donated 50 push cars worth £3,000.
Kate Dixon, from Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We are grateful to welcome the donation of push cars from our friends at Amazon in Dunfermline.
“We know that the environment around us can have a profound effect on wellbeing and mood and that’s why we create a welcoming space with fun activities for families and children visiting the hospital.”
“Donations like this allow our team to reimagine the hospital environment, making it fit for even the most active imaginations. Thank you to the team at Amazon in Dunfermline for bringing such positivity to what can be a stressful and scary experience.”
The donation of push cars is part of Amazon’s ongoing support for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity. Since 2023, Amazon has provided support to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity by taking part in the charity’s ‘Kick Off’ football fundraising event, and with employees volunteering their time at the hospital. Last year, the team from Amazon in Dunfermline also donated kits which included toys and crafts.
Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline added: “We have a longstanding relationship with the team at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and we’re pleased to once again support the team and bring joy to patients with the donation of push cars.”
Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support to families in need.
The Multibank network has now donated more than 3 million surplus goods to over 400,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, and London.
Amazon has supported more than 700,000 students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.
Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose.
Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting children to come along to its free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club, taking place in its Edinburgh store this June. This hands-on workshop will spotlight garden tools and the summer gardening jobs that these tools can be used for, followed by a fun activity.
Dobbies’ Little Seedling Club offers free, fun and educational monthly sessions for children across the country. These workshops involve hands-on activities where children can come together and learn about a variety of different topics in a friendly group setting.
Garden Tools is taking place at the Edinburgh on the morning of Sunday 1 June, where children will learn about key gardening tools, from the history of the very first tools used during the Bronze Age, to the kinds of things they help us with when it comes to growing plants and looking after gardens and green spaces.
Attendees will then find out what gardening jobs can be done this summer, from watering to pruning and planting, with advice on the best tools for the jobs, before getting the chance to make their own watering can-inspired art.
Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is excited to welcome families across the UK along to this fun-filled event. She said: “Our Garden Tools Little Seedlings Club workshop at our Edinburgh store has been designed to engage children and get them curious about gardening.
“Our free monthly sessions involve games and a crafting activity where children can make something to take home to keep the fun going.
“Dobbies is a great place for families to come together, whether it’s to experience our free Little Seedlings Club, to let off steam in the soft play, or enjoy a delicious treat in the restaurant where children can eat for £1.”
Children can now plant and grow with their favourite Disney characters and Dobbies has everything young gardeners need to celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week (24 May – 1 June) in style, with a touch of Disney magic.
The collection now available to shop in-store and online features gloves, tools, kneeling pads, aprons, and plenty more. Available to choose from in a variety of beloved Disney prints, letting every little gardener pick their favourite character and build their perfect set.
To find out more and book a space on the Little Seedlings workshop at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, visit www.dobbies.com
