For the 9000 children in Scotland who run away each year, home is not a safe comfortable place where you can relax, be yourself and be part of a family. It can be a place of conflict, pain, fear, sadness and a living hell.
“I ran away because mum and dad’s nagging just got too much... my dad raped me too…”
Running - the facts:
One in nine Scottish children run away from home before the age of sixteen. Of these,
• 50% run away from neglect and abuse,
• one in seven are forced to leave home (or kicked out),
• one in six is physically and/ or sexually assaulted whilst running,
• only one third of young runaways are reported missing to the Police.
Aberlour has the only refuge for young runaways in Scotland and you can help keep our service open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Visit our secure online donations page
• Call our action line: 0870 118 1875
• Text ACTION NOW to 88010 to donate £1.50 (texts will cost £1.50 plus standard network charges)
We are keen to work with businesses as their nominated charity at events and through staff fundraising. Please call our fundraising action line for more information.
Every £1 can help young runaways find a place they can call home
£5 – provides a voice on the end of the phone for support and advice for young runaways.
£10 – provides food, overnight clothing and toiletries for a runaway when they arrive at the refuge with nothing.
£20 – allows us to rescue a young runaway from sleeping rough on the streets and transport them to the runaways’ refuge.
£50 – pays for one-to-one support from an outreach worker so that they can get the help they need to find accommodation or return home.
Carla’s story
14-year-old Carla ran away after a series of sometimes violent arguments caused by her mum’s long-standing alcohol problem. With no other relatives to turn to, she decided running away was the only answer. One of her teachers referred her to “Running – Other Choices” (ROC), where she spent time talking with the staff. Carla went to stay with foster carers and continues to have contact with ROC through Outreach Support. Her brother is being looked after by a family friend while her mum gets help for her alcohol problem. Carla hopes that one day she, her mum and brother will have some sort of family life again.
Frank’s story
Frank lived with his dad and two brothers, but life had become difficult because of his dad’s mental health problems, which caused him to become depressed and very angry. Frank was doing well at school, but his dad told him that he had to leave and get a job when he was sixteen. After yet another argument, his dad threw him out and he spent two nights sleeping in a stairwell. Frank’s headmaster contacted ROC and he was offered a bed at the refuge. Frank has moved on to supported accommodation and regularly sees his brothers who no longer live with their dad. Frank says his life is more settled and plans to fulfil his ambition of going to university.