Stepping Stones North Edinburgh’s young parents are making Christmas crafts to sell in the local pantry, with all proceeds going back into local charities.
We are looking to compliment our home made crafts with some other Christmas gifts.
Do you make gift baskets, wreaths, beautiful Christmas decorations? If so could you donate an item to our Christmas fayre?
Your generosity has two benefits in that the proceeds will go to charity but it also allows local people to buy something lovely that they may not normally be able to afford.
We would really appreciate your support.
It would also be great to see people pop by the fayre on the 8th of December!
Lead by Cynthia Cheung and Marion Geoffray, the workshop/outdoor activities involve multisensory creative play for the aged 2-5 to explore different festival traditions and stories.
In the workshop, we explore the children’s reaction and interest in the objects, the smell and the sound related to the festival. Meantime, the facilitators explore new ideas and skill involve the children’s behaviour and experiment with the artistic practice to develop the work-in-progress performance.
The workshop will also help Niroshini Thambar, the music designer, to explore insight and ideas to create a new interpretation soundtrack for the performance.
STEPPING Stones North Edinburgh is among the charities providing counselling and peer and parental support to share funding to help improve the life chances and wellbeing of pregnant women, new mums and their families.
The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health fund will provide annual funding of up to £1 million to help third sector organisations deliver vital services.
Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey attended a virtual meeting with Amma Birth Companions to announce the successful organisations to receive a share of the funding.
The charity supports vulnerable women who would otherwise experience birth without a partner, including a number of women who are refugees, asylum seekers or living in poverty.
Ms Haughey said: “We want all mothers and their families to have access to good mental health care throughout pregnancy and during the postnatal period.
“The third sector provides an invaluable source of support and with the impacts of COVID-19, their work is more important now than ever. The fund will allow one-to-one support for organisations to help provide the care that women and their families need across Scotland.
“In our 2019-20 Programme for Government, we committed to support the third sector to deliver counselling and befriending services for women who might benefit from additional support in their community.
“Our delivery plan will help us continue to improve perinatal and infant mental health services, backed by £50 million and guided by the voices of women with lived experience.”
Sarah Zadik, Manager and Co-Founder at Amma Birth Companions said: “This funding will enable us to build on our existing work, address emerging needs, and reach even more women who would otherwise face pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood alone.
“We are delighted to receive this grant and grateful to the Scottish Government for recognising Amma’s role in providing vital support to vulnerable mothers who are at increased risk of experiencing perinatal mental health issues.”
Celia Tennant, Chief Executive at Inspiring Scotland said: “Inspiring Scotland is delighted to be supporting the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Fund and today’s announcement.
“The commitment from Scottish Government to this vital area has been matched by the high number and calibre of proposals we received for funding . We are looking forward to working alongside these essential services over the next three years to support more families during the crucial perinatal period.”
The annual Perinatal and Infant Mental Health fund is designed to deliver key services and address gaps in provision.
The full list of organisations to receive funding can be found below:
Aberlour
Amma Birth Companions
Barnardo’s
Home Start Glasgow North and NL
Midlothian Sure Start
Stepping Stones North Ed
Home-Start East Highland / Caithness
PND Borders
Home-Start Dunfermline
Quarriers
CrossReach
Human Development Scotland
Action for Children
Healthy Valleys
Maternal Mental Health Scotland
More information can be found on Inspiring Scotland’s website, who will be administering the fund on behalf of the Scottish Government.
A campaign encouraging families in Edinburgh to seek help has been launched by the city’s Child Protection Committee and NSPCC Scotland.
All of Us has been set up to help people find out where to get support and advice with parenting or other worries about family life and where to turn if they have concerns about a child.
The campaign will also raise awareness among communities and professionals about the early signs of child neglect and how to help families who are struggling.
About one third of calls made to the NSPCC Helpline are from people concerned a child might be experiencing neglect, which is when a young person’s basic needs are not being met.
This includes the child not having warm, clean clothing; enough to eat or drink; receiving love and care; access to healthcare; and support with education.
Neglect can happen as a result of a number of issues, including parents not having support, funds or skills, and having poor mental health.
The partnership wants to help parents and carers, who may be struggling, and signpost them to where they can get advice and support before reaching crisis point.
One 20-year-old mum, who attends Stepping Stones North Edinburgh – a local charity that supports young parent families, said: “Coming here has made me feel more confident. I go to group sessions and have one-to-one support. It’s good to be able to talk to others and know that we’re all in the same boat.
“It makes you realise you are not alone, no-one judges you and it’s confidential. I sometimes come feeling really stressed but leave feeling chilled and happy to see my son and in a better place to play with him.”
Another 21-year-old mum-of-two, who is also supported by the charity, said: “Being a parent is the hardest job in the world, no matter what age you are or your kid is, and if you’re struggling just ask for help because there’s always someone out there.”
The first phase of the campaign, which launches this week, consists of a series of free family events across the city, with activities for children and information for parents and carers about where to find support and advice.
From next month, workshops will be held with professionals and volunteers who work with children, as well as with various community groups.
Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland local campaigns manager, said: “Looking after a child can be challenging for all parents and carers at times, and it is so important that people feel they can seek support and know where to turn for help.
“The NSPCC Helpline is there for anyone who wants advice or knows a family that needs support.”
Jackie Irvine, Chair of the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee, said: “This campaign is a first for Scotland and highlights the very real issues around child neglect. Many families may not be aware that there’s a wide range of support and we also need to raise awareness among communities and professionals about the signs of child neglect.
“We’ve got four free drop-in events across the city over the coming weeks (see below) where families can find out more about what local support is available and I would urge as many people as possible to come along.”
For parenting advice and support visit NSPCC helpline or call 0808 800 5000, weekdays 8am to 10pm and weekends 9am to 6pm. People can also contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324, their health visitor, GP or child’s school.
Free family drop-in events
Come along to one of our free family events to find out about support and activities where you live. There will be fun family activities, snacks and drinks and arts and crafts.
Friday 31 January, Leith Community Centre, 12 noon – 2pm
Thursday 13 February, Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, 9:30 – 11:30am
Friday 21 February, Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, 1 – 3pm
At Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, 11 Pilton Drive North, EH5 1NF
On Monday 30th September, 2019 at 12.30pm
As part of our AGM Young Parents will be presenting work about modern motherhood in 2019. This will be followed by a buffet lunch. We hope you can join us.
Registered Office: 9A Pilton Drive North Edinburgh EH5 1NF. Registered in Scotland as a Private Company Limited by Guarantee no. SC281866 Charity no. SC021775
Please R.S.V.P. to: 10, Wardieburn Road, Edinburgh EH5 1LY
