[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f10b3rz2z388kj":3,"$f1sstxgadsf354":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":5,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":18,"slug":19,"content":20,"content_overview":11,"published_at":21,"seo_title":18,"seo_description":22,"image":23,"created_at":24,"updated_at":24,"next":25,"prev":26},"01kqyxe1qmqkgxrsmb7n1txm6t","Children’s charity hails volunteers helping ease pressure on new mums","childrens-charity-hails-volunteers-helping-ease-pressure-on-new-mums","\u003Cp>Life-changing volunteers are easing pressure on new mums struggling to cope, according to a leading charity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour Children’s Charity has told how \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Fbumps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">volunteer befrienders across Lothian\u003C\u002Fa> are protecting mothers suffering anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of Scotland’s most respected charities, Aberlour has detailed the support of its perinatal befrienders as it appeals for volunteers. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clare Cook, manager of the Perinatal Befriending service in Forth Valley and Lothians, said the only qualifications are empathy and an ability to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Clare said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>It is a very simple idea but can make the biggest difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A baby’s first year can be a stressful, challenging time for mums and we know early support and intervention is key to protecting perinatal mental health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“New mums might feel the whole world is piling on top of them but are reluctant to reveal how they are feeling or admit to having a hard time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our volunteers are a helping hand when they need one and a pair of ears when they need to talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour, one of Scotland’s most respected children’s charities, is highlighting the befriending service during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. It started on Monday [4 MAY] to raise awareness of mental health conditions affecting one in five pregnant women and new mums.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the charity’s volunteer befrienders, Lyndsey Hall, from Edinburgh, joined the service three years ago and said her work with new mums has been hugely rewarding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Lyndsey said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>We are not there to judge or advise or fix things. We are there to provide a sympathetic ear. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We just try to make a mum’s life a little easier during what can be a tough time.”\u003Cbr>Hall, a mother of three, said her visits are shaped by mums, adding: “I might be rocking the baby while they are getting a haircut or going to the dentist or the shops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sometimes, I might just be sitting on the floor playing with the baby and having a chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Hall, a former lawyer, hailed the training provided by Aberlour before she was assigned her first mum and the support in the years since.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The Aberlour team could not be more supportive or helpful. They are terrific.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It has been nice to feel a little challenged while being part of a team, to do something unconnected to my family and home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve worked with four mums now and, very roughly, it takes up one afternoon a week.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I feel lucky to have found a place in the service and find it incredibly satisfying, really rewarding. \u003Cbr>“I’m always encouraging my friends to think about it. It feels like time really well spent. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It feels like a good thing and a worthwhile way to spend a little time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The charity is appealing for more volunteer befrienders to join the service in Edinburgh and the Lothians and Jen Reston, Aberlour head of volunteering, encouraged anyone interested to get in touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Jen said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>All our volunteers receive high quality training and practical experience of helping families affected by perinatal mental health issues with ongoing support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our befrienders offer such valuable support to new parents but they tell us how much they take from the experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Find out more about \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fhelp-us\u002Fvolunteer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">volunteering with Aberlour\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>","2026-05-06T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity hails volunteers helping ease pressure on new mums.","media\u002FiStock-1733540987.jpg","2026-05-06T15:10:20.000000Z",{"id":17,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":18,"slug":19,"content":20,"content_overview":11,"published_at":21,"seo_title":18,"seo_description":22,"image":23,"created_at":24,"updated_at":24},{"id":27,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":28,"slug":29,"content":30,"content_overview":11,"published_at":31,"seo_title":28,"seo_description":32,"image":33,"created_at":34,"updated_at":35},"01kqyyae5zzggr6vvgw6w8f1t7","Aberlour celebrates partnership with the Worshipful Company of Butchers","aberlour-celebrates-partnership-with-the-worshipful-company-of-butchers","\u003Cp>Aberlour Children’s Charity celebrated the launch of a new partnership with the Worshipful Company of Butchers which will provide the charity with £60,000 over the next three years to support children and young people across Scotland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Justina Murray, Chief Executive at Aberlour said:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>We are delighted to be chosen as the charity partner of the prestigious Worshipful Company of Butchers for the next three years. Our young people will, as a result, have wonderful opportunities to participate in a diverse range of activities including those related to the food and farming sectors. \u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>\"Thank you so very much to everyone involved for your generous contribution, it is very much appreciated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The donated £60,000 will support children and young people across Scotland, as well as fund various activities for young people – including unique food and farming experiences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To celebrate the new partnership, Aberlour held a burger-making workshop with four supported young people alongside Gwyn Howells, the Worshipful Company of Butchers Master. Young people were invited to prepare, cook, and serve delicious Scotch beef, lamb and venison burgers for guests at the launch event. The workshop was kindly organised and facilitated by Gordon Newlands, Brands Development Manager at Quality Meat Scotland. Thank you to Quality Meat Scotland, Highland Game and Campbells Prime Meats for supplying the food and guiding our young people through the workshop.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Regarding the partnership, Gwyn Howells said:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Liverymen of the Worshipful Company of Butchers throughout Great Britain are pleased and very proud to contribute donated funds, expertise and a great deal of enthusiasm to Aberlour to help meet the charity’s commitment in support of children and young people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>We would like to thank all supporting business who have shown interest in building better and brighter lives and futures of the children and young people across Scotland and expressed their generosity through this partnership. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to Dunbia Highland Meats, Campbells Prime Meats, Cosmos Pizza, John Gilmour Butchers, Highland Game, Quality Meat Scotland, Dovecote Park, Husband Business Consultancy, Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, Scottish Craft Butchers, The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) and the Incorporation of Fleshers of Glasgow.\u003C\u002Fp>","2026-05-04T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity celebrates partnership with the Worshipful Company of Butchers","media\u002FWorshipful Company of Butchers Partnership Launch Event.png","2026-05-06T15:25:51.000000Z","2026-05-06T15:26:15.000000Z"]