[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f10b3rz2z388kj":3,"$f1f3w7of6h2qer":16},{"id":4,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":5,"is_featured":6,"title":7,"slug":8,"content":9,"content_overview":10,"published_at":11,"seo_title":7,"seo_description":12,"image":13,"created_at":14,"updated_at":15},"01m5yr36vzgnkxw06xbrd8qvy9","1",false,"We can change Scotland's story on alcohol","we-can-change-scotlands-story-on-alcohol","\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\">\u003Cspan style=\"mso-special-character: footnote;\">\u003C!-- [if !supportFootnotes]-->\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Justina Murray, Chief Executive, Aberlour Children’s Charity\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This week we have seen further evidence of Scotland’s toxic relationship with alcohol, with the publication of the latest alcohol-specific death figures.\u003Ca href=\"#_edn1\">[1]\u003C\u002Fa> In 2025, 1,152 people in Scotland died through alcohol.\u003Ca href=\"#_edn2\">[2]\u003C\u002Fa> This may be 3% lower than the previous year, but it remains 13% up on pre-pandemic levels. Alarmingly, death rates for women are rising (3% up).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The human toll of this loss is traumatic for families and communities. So, so many lives lost. And this sits alongside the everyday harms felt by those concerned about their own drinking, and those desperately worried about keeping their loved ones alive. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The story of alcohol in Scotland today is that we have a higher rate of alcohol deaths than England and Wales. We buy more alcohol per adult than England and Wales. Almost 1 in 5 of us drink enough to harm our health and to be classed as hazardous, harmful or dependent drinkers. More of us are diagnosed with chronic liver disease each year. We don’t really think about alcohol being linked to over 200 health conditions or causing 7 different types of cancer. In a country where we routinely hear, “There is no money”, alcohol harm is estimated to cost us up to £10 billion a year.\u003Ca href=\"#_edn3\">[3]\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is little sign of any shift in Scotland’s entrenched ‘Alcohol Everywhere’ culture. Just this week (only a day after the alcohol death figures were released), a hospitality chain in Edinburgh asked for licensing permission for unaccompanied 12-15 year olds to be in their pubs until 8pm, describing these as “family-friendly” and “accessible” environments for young people.\u003Ca href=\"#_edn4\">[4]\u003C\u002Fa> And earlier this month we saw the First Minister raising a glass of whisky on the front cover of the SNP conference handbook, of all of the images which could have been used under the banner ‘Choose Scotland’.\u003Ca href=\"#_edn5\">[5]\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what is the story for the children and families we support? I joined Aberlour last year - our 150th birthday year. Perhaps due to that timing, or certainly encouraged by it, I often reflect on the organisation’s long history and deep legacy, including what might be the same or different now compared to the early days of the Aberlour orphanage. This grew to care for up to 600 children at any one time, all in one place. Nowadays our models of care have radically altered, with our remodelled Sycamore children’s houses providing safe and loving family-sized homes in the community for 3 or 4 children at a time, alongside a broad continuum of services to support babies, children, young people and families facing disadvantage and adversity, from early help to the most intensive support. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite all these changes, that thread of alcohol harm in families - and the havoc this creates in every respect - runs through every chapter of our 150 years. This harm impacts the lives of children and families across every one of our services today, just as it shaped the story for so many children arriving at the original Aberlour orphanage.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we are also working alongside families to change Scotland’s story on alcohol. There is quite rightly a call for better prevention and early support for families, but how we respond in a crisis speaks volumes. We offer a range of specialist services for pregnant and new mums and their babies where there is harm through alcohol and other substances. This includes our residential Mother and Child Recovery Houses, alongside community-based perinatal and intensive perinatal services. The impact of these services is mind-blowing, with 65-70% of mums staying safely with their babies, when previously their children were at extremely high risk of going into care - with all the accompanying human and financial cost of this. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These services provide concrete and costed evidence that with the right approach and investment, we can write a whole new chapter alongside children and families. This support offers a blueprint for whole family recovery, helps us #KeepThePromise (not just say it), delivers effective child protection, and models outcomes-focused Public Service Reform. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s time for a different story on alcohol harm in Scotland, let’s turn the page. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cdiv style=\"mso-element: endnote-list;\">\u003C!-- [if !supportEndnotes]-->\u003Cbr clear=\"all\">\u003Chr align=\"left\" size=\"1\" width=\"33%\">\u003C!--[endif]-->\n\u003Cdiv id=\"edn1\" style=\"mso-element: endnote;\">\n\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\">\u003Ca style=\"mso-endnote-id: edn1;\" title=\"\" href=\"#_ednref1\" name=\"_edn1\">\u003Cspan style=\"mso-special-character: footnote;\">\u003C!-- [if !supportFootnotes]-->\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\">[1]\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C!--[endif]-->\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nrscotland.gov.uk\u002Fpublications\u002Falcohol-specific-deaths-2025\">https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nrscotland.gov.uk\u002Fpublications\u002Falcohol-specific-deaths-2025\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv id=\"edn2\" style=\"mso-element: endnote;\">\n\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\">\u003Ca style=\"mso-endnote-id: edn2;\" title=\"\" href=\"#_ednref2\" name=\"_edn2\">\u003Cspan style=\"mso-special-character: footnote;\">\u003C!-- [if !supportFootnotes]-->\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\">[2]\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C!--[endif]-->\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\">Note that alcohol-specific deaths only include those specifically caused by alcohol, such as alcoholic liver disease, alcohol poisoning.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv id=\"edn3\" style=\"mso-element: endnote;\">\n\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\">\u003Ca style=\"mso-endnote-id: edn3;\" title=\"\" href=\"#_ednref3\" name=\"_edn3\">\u003Cspan style=\"mso-special-character: footnote;\">\u003C!-- [if !supportFootnotes]-->\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\">[3]\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C!--[endif]-->\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\">You can find lots of useful information and statistics at Alcohol Focus Scotland on Scotland’s relationship with alcohol and alcohol harm, including a great series of monthly blogs by Chief Exec Carolyn Lochhead, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk\u002F\">https:\u002F\u002Fwww.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk\u002F\u003C\u002Fa> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv id=\"edn4\" style=\"mso-element: endnote;\">\n\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\">\u003Ca style=\"mso-endnote-id: edn4;\" title=\"\" href=\"#_ednref4\" name=\"_edn4\">\u003Cspan style=\"mso-special-character: footnote;\">\u003C!-- [if !supportFootnotes]-->\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\">[4]\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C!--[endif]-->\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002Fcm62yj7nqj77o\">https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002Fcm62yj7nqj77o\u003C\u002Fa> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv id=\"edn5\" style=\"mso-element: endnote;\">\n\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\">\u003Ca style=\"mso-endnote-id: edn5;\" title=\"\" href=\"#_ednref5\" name=\"_edn5\">\u003Cspan style=\"mso-special-character: footnote;\">\u003C!-- [if !supportFootnotes]-->\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\">[5]\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C!--[endif]-->\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fs3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com\u002Fwww.snp.org\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002FSNP-Handbook-26-online-5-public.pdf\">https:\u002F\u002Fs3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com\u002Fwww.snp.org\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F06\u002FSNP-Handbook-26-online-5-public.pdf\u003C\u002Fa> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv style=\"mso-element: endnote-list;\">\n\u003Cdiv id=\"edn5\" style=\"mso-element: endnote;\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>",null,"2026-10-29T00:00:00.000000Z","This week we have seen further evidence of Scotland’s toxic relationship with alcohol, with the publication of the latest alcohol-specific death figures.","media\u002F1301_transform.webp","2026-10-27T13:16:48.000000Z","2026-10-30T08:58:49.000000Z",{"id":17,"blog_author_id":18,"blog_category_id":5,"is_featured":6,"title":19,"slug":20,"content":21,"content_overview":10,"published_at":22,"seo_title":19,"seo_description":23,"image":24,"created_at":25,"updated_at":26,"next":27,"prev":28},"01m1c46rdpbpvheh232nn9q4dv","9cdbdd6d-4900-4646-a012-d3e67a5ee788","FM must try harder on child poverty","fm-must-try-harder-on-child-poverty","\u003Cp>For families across Scotland, the last few weeks have been all about returning to school. Shiny new school shoes and pressed uniforms, brightly coloured pencil cases, and full-to-bursting school bags packed with excitement and anticipation for the year ahead. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This will have been true for many children, but sadly not all. For so many children we support at Aberlour, returning to school brings uncertainty and anxiety, prompted by the stress and strain of growing up in poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today it’s the turn of Scotland’s MSPs to return for their new term at Holyrood, for their ‘first day at school’. The most pressing subject for them must be making real and lasting progress on ending child poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite commitments to tackle child poverty by successive First Ministers over the last quarter of a century, Scotland remains a country where 1 in 5 children continue to grow up in poverty. This is shocking and shameful. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John Swinney has repeatedly stated that, as Scotland’s First Minister, it is his number one priority to “eradicate child poverty”. We welcome that renewed commitment and sharp focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only is this the right thing to do to make Scotland a fairer and more equal society, but the Scottish Government also has legally binding targets to reduce child poverty, set down by the Scottish Parliament. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ending child poverty and meeting Scotland’s child poverty targets means that welcome words must be backed by clear and targeted actions, significant investment and a coherent plan. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he sets out his Plan for Government today, the First Minister has the chance to tell 210,000 children living in poverty exactly what he plans to do to help them and their families. So we expect to hear about urgent and immediate support for those in greatest need, alongside longer-term strategies to lift children and families out of poverty for good. This means working across all parts of government to end the housing emergency, strengthen routes into fair work, remove barriers faced by children with disabilities and tackle the public debt crisis. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is no easy task. We need connection, coherence and collaboration across government, the wider public sector and third sector, with everyone stepping up for children and families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most direct action the First Minister can take is to put more money into families’ pockets. The Scottish Child Payment is already providing real help, by increasing incomes for Scotland’s poorest families. But much more is needed as cost of living pressures continue to bite. We want to see this Payment increased immediately, reaching £55 a week by the end of this Parliament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is essential, but social security alone is not enough. High quality whole family support is also vital, to reduce the impact of poverty now and prevent it in the future. Easy-to-access, community-based support services, which stay alongside families for as long as they need help, means challenges don’t become crises. Offering practical, emotional and financial support together responds to the multiple challenges that families face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making sure social security measures and good quality family support reach all children and families living in poverty can only happen with long term funding and investment at scale. This is the approach we need to lift families out of poverty for good. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the First Minister stands up in Parliament today to share his Plan for Government, we will be standing alongside Scotland’s children and families, ready to mark his homework.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Will he get full marks and go to the top of the class? We can’t wait to see.\u003C\u002Fp>","2026-09-01T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity CEO, Justina Murray, shares what she hopes to see in the Scottish Government's Programme for Government on Tuesday 1st September 2026 to end child poverty for good in Scotland.","media\u002FJustina Serious on stairs.jpg","2026-08-31T14:40:06.000000Z","2026-09-01T11:07:16.000000Z",{"id":17,"blog_author_id":18,"blog_category_id":5,"is_featured":6,"title":19,"slug":20,"content":21,"content_overview":10,"published_at":22,"seo_title":19,"seo_description":23,"image":24,"created_at":25,"updated_at":26},{"id":29,"blog_author_id":30,"blog_category_id":5,"is_featured":6,"title":31,"slug":32,"content":33,"content_overview":10,"published_at":34,"seo_title":31,"seo_description":35,"image":36,"created_at":37,"updated_at":38},"01m142s7kbpnfwbn7r7rt74n8d","9cdbdd25-1564-45ec-84de-602c5009ebe1","Hopetoun Court Extension Underway","hopetoun-court-extension-underway","\u003Cp dir=\"rtl\"> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour Children's Charity has commenced construction on a major extension to its Hopetoun Court short breaks service for children with disabilities in Aberdeen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Located in the Bucksburn area of Aberdeen, Hopetoun Court has played a vital role in supporting children with disabilities and their families for many years. To improve accessibility for children, with an increasingly diverse range of complex needs, Aberlour Options Aberdeen is adapting, extending and enhancing its facilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The development comprises a new two-storey and single-storey extension, alongside the creation of an accessible landscaped garden and play areas, providing additional space and enhanced facilities designed to meet current and future need. The project will ensure the service can continue delivering high-quality specialist care and support in a safe, nurturing and sustainable environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Project manager and quantity surveyors McCue & Porter are delivering the project in partnership with main contractor Burns Construction and architects 56three Architects. Construction will be completed in spring, with children anticipated to move into the enhanced facility early summer 2027.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynne O’Brien, Chief Officer, Children and Families Aberlour Children's Charity, said: \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>We are delighted to see construction begin on the re-design of Hopetoun Court. The development represents a significant investment in specialist support for children with disabilities and their families across Aberdeen and the surrounding area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The re-design of the service is an exciting development and has involved children, families, and our partners. A huge thank you to the Aberlour Team and partners who have worked incredibly hard to get to this point. This investment means Aberlour can continue to deliver  high-quality, person-centred care that children and families rely on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the construction period, our priority remains ensuring continuity of support, with children continuing to receive the same high-quality care through our nearby residential service at Kaimhill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The accessible facility will strengthen Aberlour's ability to provide vital specialist care and support to children with disabilities as well as support to families. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David Cobban (Partner) of McCue & Porter LLP, said:  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Our Practice is delighted to be a part of the Team that is engaged to deliver this exciting new facility at Hopetoun Court, which will provide an excellent level of care and facilities that children with disabilities and special needs rely on. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our association with Aberlour Children’s Charity goes back many years, when their Kaimhill facilty was built originally, and we look forward to working with the Aberlour Team, alongside the professional team & contractor, to complete this innovative building that will improve the quality of the lives of many young people in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Graeme Bruce, Contracts Director from Burns Construction (Aberdeen) Ltd.  said: \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>We are extremely proud to be delivering this significant project for Aberlour Children’s Charity and to be contributing to the future of such an important service for children and families across Aberdeen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hopetoun Court plays a vital role in providing specialist support, and this investment will create a modern, accessible and sustainable facility capable of meeting the evolving needs of the children who use the service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Burns Construction, projects of this nature demonstrate the wider value of construction and the positive, lasting impact it can have within our communities. We are pleased to be working in partnership with Aberlour, McCue & Porter, Fairhurst and 56Three to deliver a high-quality facility that will support Aberlour’s work for many years to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We look forward to successfully completing the development and seeing the enhanced Hopetoun Court facility make a meaningful difference to children, families and the wider community.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Gordon Beaton, Managing Director from 56three Architects added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>We're proud to continue our relationship with Aberlour on this important project. At 56three Architects, we believe great design can have a lasting positive impact, and it's a privilege to help create a safe, welcoming home that will support children and young people for years to come. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Working alongside an organisation with such a strong commitment to improving the lives of so many makes this project especially meaningful for our team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>","2026-08-28T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity has commenced construction on a major extension to its Hopetoun Court short breaks service for children with disabilities in Aberdeen.","media\u002FHopetoun Extension.jpeg","2026-08-28T11:41:18.000000Z","2026-08-28T11:44:53.000000Z"]