[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f10b3rz2z388kj":3,"$f16jruqd0e1spp":16},{"id":4,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":8,"slug":9,"content":10,"content_overview":11,"published_at":12,"seo_title":8,"seo_description":13,"image":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15},"01m45vtvk0pdb1y7c1cqv76edp","9cdbdd6d-4900-4646-a012-d3e67a5ee788","1",false,"Panic and Promises Won't End Child Poverty","panic-and-promises-wont-end-child-poverty","\u003Cp>We live in a world that seems to spin faster every day, where all the dials are turned to 11 all the time.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The headlines crash from one calamity to another as our political leaders rush to promise emergency action while their opponents demand even more urgency. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is noisy, tiring and a few hours later, when the news cycle spins to another red alert, the last one, whatever it was, is most often forgotten. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For years now, child poverty in Scotland has been routinely described as a national emergency demanding emergency action. It is and it does but, with more than one in five children still growing up in poverty in Scotland today, is it time to ask if the language of emergency and crisis is helping?  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it only encourages more haste but less speed, a birling carousel of taskforces and committees, policy papers and special reports, but too little measured and impactful action? Are we even checking if the blizzard of promises and commitments is being delivered before starting the snow machine again? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if the endless planning and process is actually slowing us down? What if somehow all the talk is delaying implementation of practical, tested, and effective measures to improve the lives and secure the life chances of the 210,000 children growing up poor in one of the wealthiest countries in the world? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because we already know what works. We have known for years.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there are no magic bullets, no simple solutions to the complex social issues that have blighted our poorest communities for decades. Child poverty, like Scotland’s drugs crisis, another national emergency, is embedded in longstanding economic trends that have stripped far too many of our neighbourhoods of jobs and hope. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those trends will not be reversed overnight but, in the meantime, we should not let perfect be the enemy of good. As Challenge Poverty Week begins today, the biggest challenge is to see the wood not the trees, to recognise and appreciate what is already working and build on it. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are things that we know ease the impact of poverty on young lives; that have been trialled, tested and measured; that inch their families from peril to safety; that give them new strength, confidence and a path to a more secure future. So why not have more of them? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These are services that our charity and others are delivering every day, hand in glove with our partners in social work, health care and education. These are services delivering real, measurable success, making children safer, healthier and happier today and improving their chances tomorrow. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intensive family support, for example. The clue is in the name. It is the opposite of easy. Any family’s journey back from the very edge of crisis is one of hard yards and no shortcuts. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our teams arrive to work, shoulder to shoulder, with families on the point of collapse, with children often on the edge of care. Ensuring those babies and young people are safe is always the priority but, after that, keeping them with their families is the driving force because that, all research suggests, is the best way to stabilise childhoods and secure futures. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intensive family support means doing whatever it takes to keep children safe and families together. It can rebuild broken relationships; improve parents’ confidence in themselves; create new connections in communities; and help build firmer financial foundations with advice on welfare rights, maximising incomes and problem debt. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any investment in intensive family support and other specialist services, for pregnant women and new mums, for example, is more than returned in thriving families, stronger communities and money saved. Resource is better spent on intensive support keeping families safely together, than managing their separation through a lifetime of crisis-led state intervention.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our two Mother and Child Recovery Houses, in Falkirk and Dundee, for example, offer recovery spaces for pregnant and new mums with a history of substance use, allowing them to recover while staying safely with their babies. This helps keep families together and children at home, improves their futures and saves millions of pounds in avoided care costs. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is true child protection and the big question is not whether we can afford to roll out these services across Scotland but if we can afford not to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Justina Murray \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\u003Cstrong>Chief executive of Aberlour Children’s Charity \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>This article was written for the Daily Record and published on Monday 5th October 2026.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>",null,"2026-10-05T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity CEO, Justina Murray, explains what must be done to end child poverty in Scotland. We know what works and we've known for years. ","media\u002FRS873_0E5A9135.jpg","2026-10-05T11:05:26.000000Z",{"id":17,"blog_author_id":6,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":18,"slug":19,"content":20,"content_overview":21,"published_at":22,"seo_title":23,"seo_description":24,"image":25,"created_at":26,"updated_at":27,"next":28,"prev":29},"01j6cdm1p0kdkfq4ggn0f77t99","Aberlour’s response to the Scottish drugs deaths statistics","aberlours-response-to-the-scottish-drug-death-statistics","\u003Cp>On behalf of everyone at Aberlour I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to anyone who has lost a family member or a loved one as a result of a drug related death. Every statistic represents a person, someone’s mother, father, daughter, son, sister or brother. Every death is one too many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To see drugs related deaths rise again is cause for deep concern. Today’s figures illustrate that deaths amongst men remain highest, however they also show a worrying rise in deaths amongst women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is no escaping the fact that poverty is a key driver of drugs deaths, with those from the most deprived areas fifteen times more likely to die from drugs misuse. If we are committed to tackling drugs deaths, then we must be relentless in our drive to combat poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Scottish Government has made tackling drugs deaths and reducing drugs harm its national mission. However, if it is to fulfil that mission then it is clear much more is needed to deliver the range of residential and community-based services around the country that are needed to reverse the increase in drugs harm and drugs related deaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We welcome the significant investment in residential rehabilitation and recovery services by the Scottish Government to date, including dedicated services for women such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Fmother-and-child-recovery-houses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aberlour’s Mother and Child Recovery Houses\u003C\u002Fa>. We know that these services are vital to provide recovery treatment and support for women and their babies, to keep families together and to help Keep The Promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We continue to call for further investment by the Scottish Government to make sure that accessible support is available for all those living with addiction and their families, either in the community or through residential rehabilitation and recovery services. This must include the agency for individuals to choose which supports and services are best for those that need them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reduce drugs harm and drugs deaths in the long-term we must turn the tide on poverty. By providing purpose and a sense of opportunity we can reduce the trauma and pain that too often leads to drugs use and addiction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>SallyAnn Kelly OBE\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Aberlour Chief Executive\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","\u003Cp>On behalf of everyone at Aberlour I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to anyone who has lost a family member or a loved one as a result of a drug related death. Every statistic represents a person, someone’s mother, father, daughter, son, sister or brother. Every death is one too many. To see … \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb-backend.aberlour.org.uk\u002Faberlours-response-to-the-scottish-drug-death-statistics\u002F\">Continued\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","2024-08-20T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour's response to the Scottish drugs deaths statistics - Aberlour - Web Backend","Aberlour's CEO SallyAnn Kelly OBE responds to the latest Scottish Governments drugs death statistics in Scotland.","media\u002FSallyAnn-Final-scaled.jpg","2024-08-28T11:58:31.000000Z","2024-11-25T07:20:29.000000Z",{"id":17,"blog_author_id":6,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":18,"slug":19,"content":20,"content_overview":21,"published_at":22,"seo_title":23,"seo_description":24,"image":25,"created_at":26,"updated_at":27},{"id":30,"blog_author_id":6,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":31,"slug":32,"content":33,"content_overview":34,"published_at":35,"seo_title":36,"seo_description":37,"image":38,"created_at":26,"updated_at":39},"01j6cdm1pk4gr04htv2zanxcej","Frontline Aberlour youth worker warns of a lost generation of young Scots","youth-worker-warns-of-a-lost-generation","\u003Cp>The future of young Scots is being sabotaged by budget cuts forcing closure of life-changing youth clubs, according to frontline workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Johnny Hendry, who has more than 20 years experience as a youth worker, fears crucial hubs are being lost across the country because of increasing financial pressures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He has run a successful Thursday night youth club in, Govan, for almost 20 years but recently had to relocate after the community centre where it was based was demolished to make way for housing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Johnny said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> “We’ve had to move further away now, out of the neighbourhood. It’s only a mile or so away but to young people that’s like the other side of the moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The club has helped and encouraged generations of young people but will no longer be on their doorstep, down their street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The bigger concern is that the same thing is happening up and down the country at a time when so many more young people are struggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The pandemic and lockdown is risking a whole generation which lost so much in so many ways, whether socialising or education.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They sacrificed a lot to protect adults and we should be repaying that debt by giving them every possible support now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not happening. We know what young people need to thrive but we’re not providing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And worse, where we have been providing it, we’re taking it away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Johnny, who works as a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Fglasgow-family-support-service\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">youth support worker for Aberlour\u003C\u002Fa>, Scotland’s biggest children’s charity, said the importance of youth clubs cannot be overestimated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They can provide a destination away from drink, drugs, violence and crime while also building a crucial support network for young people seeking a new direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Johnny, who works with young people in schools and on the streets, said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> “The actual activities provided at a club are only the tip of the iceberg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A pool table and a couple of TVs might get young people through the door but it’s not why they stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The clubs are a meeting place, a support network. It can take time but the young people learn to trust us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>He said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> “Youth clubs are often a safe haven for young people whose home life might be affected by social issues like poverty, addiction or domestic violence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Many of the young people we see don’t have another trusted adult in their lives to listen to them and encourage them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They will ask for advice, for support. We will help them apply for jobs, find jobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just being there for them can make all the difference in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We build relationships with young people that last long after they become adults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They drop in to keep in touch, we’re now seeing their children coming in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clubs like ours support and encourage young people and many need that now more than ever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Allan was supported by Johnny when he was 16 years old. Read his story and the difference the support from Aberlour has made to his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>‘It changed my life and I wasn’t the only one’\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Govan lost far more than a building when the youth club in Govan was demolished to make way for housing, according to one former member.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alan Pollock, grew up in the neighbourhood, and hails Johnny Hendry for his decades of life-changing work with young people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a 16-year-old karate champion when he first attended the club and, now 32, still believes it was a pivotal moment in his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Allan said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> “Johnny is a legend in Govan and it is impossible to overestimate what he has achieved and how many lives he has changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The club had a huge impact on so many young people and that needs to be properly understood and recognised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To see it flattened will sadden all the young people who went there but it’s massive loss for the whole community.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wasn’t just four walls and a roof, it was a safety net, a place where young people could find help and encouragement when they might not have found it elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It literally changed my life and, over the years, there have been hundreds, thousands, like me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Allan, who now works as a karate instructor, had just won a world championship in his age group when he first attended the club in 2008.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the time, I was hoping to get to Tokyo to defend my title but the cost looked like being prohibitive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just remember Johnny being totally engaged as soon as he heard about it, getting sponsorship, publicity, just doing everything he possibly could to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the end, I got to Tokyo and retained my title but my respect and gratitude to Johnny and Aberlour goes far beyond that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He helped me in all sorts of ways. I wrote my first CV with the help of the club, for example, and was coached for my first interview there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Johnny was doing it for me but he would do it for every young person that came through the door. He is a force of nature and, when it comes to young people needing help, never stops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sometimes life can change in an instant and walking into that club changed everything for me and loads of young people like me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To see it gone, and to think all that support and encouragement won’t be so easily available to young people growing up there today, is beyond grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need far more clubs like that not fewer and far more people like Johnny Hendry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>This article was written for the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.glasgowtimes.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002F24518689.govan-youth-club-loss-lamented-community-stalwart\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Glasgow Times\u003C\u002Fa> and published on Wednesday 14th August 2024.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","\u003Cp>The future of young Scots is being sabotaged by budget cuts forcing closure of life-changing youth clubs, according to frontline workers. Johnny Hendry, who has more than 20 years experience as a youth worker, fears crucial hubs are being lost across the country because of increasing financial pressures. He has run a successful Thursday night … \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb-backend.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fyouth-worker-warns-of-a-lost-generation\u002F\">Continued\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","2024-08-15T00:00:00.000000Z","Frontline Aberlour youth worker warns of a lost generation of young Scots - Aberlour - Web Backend","Johnny Hendry, Aberlour Youth Worker, warns of the impact of closing youth services on teenagers across Scotland.","media\u002F5O2A7831.jpg","2024-11-25T07:22:16.000000Z"]