[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f10b3rz2z388kj":3,"$f1f5ljxdtb5xrk":17},{"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":16},"01m5fanaffkxrzkrpj1x4keag4","9cdbdd6d-4900-4646-a012-d3e67a5ee788","01j303dmcc6n6900v73fs88bc7",false,"Right to Food Commission supports Aberlour's Call to End School Meal Debt","right-to-food-commission-supports-aberlours-call","\u003Cp>School meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three words that should never be uttered in the same sentence\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Children bearing the burden and stigma of debt should shame any society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, here in Scotland that is what we saw happening for thousands of children and their families around the country.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many high school children having a negative balance on their parent pay account would mean being unable to access a meal at school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School meal debt and hidden school hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two sides of the same coin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what side that coin lands on it would still show how badly we have failed many of Scotland’s most disadvantaged children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is why at Aberlour we were compelled to do something about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make sure we stood beside those children and their families and to call for something to change – urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We wanted to make sure we saw an \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fabout-us\u002Fpolicy-and-influencing\u002Fpublic-debt\u002Fschool-meal-debt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">end to school meal debt and hidden school hunger for good\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2023 we urged the then First Minister, Humza Yusaf, to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To bring an end to the shameful practice of children and their families being chased by debt collectors for school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School meal debt is a symptom of families not having enough money to provide the very basics for their children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fundamentally, it is about a lack of income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We welcomed the introduction of a one-off School Meal Debt Fund to write off outstanding debt for one year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we were clear that was not enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our evidence shows that the majority of children with school meal debt are from low-income working families who do not qualify for free school meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, along with writing off the debt for struggling families, we called for the expansion of Free School Meals to all low-income families across Scotland to help prevent school meal debt in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, we welcomed John Swinney’s subsequent commitment to continuing the School Meal Debt Fund for a further year to write off nearly £3 million of school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figures show that this benefitted 70,000 children and their families across Scotland over the last two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A welcome relief for many, but still a limited intervention without a long-term solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our campaign to end school meal debt has continued up to and during the recent Scottish Parliament elections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year we also published evidence that pointed to the extent of school meal debt for children and their families in England.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What our research suggested was that around 1 in 4 children not eligible for free school meals in England had regular or persistent school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so we called on the UK Government to act and follow Scotland’s lead by taking action to end school meal debt for children across the rest of the UK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This week saw the launch of the independent UK Right to Food Commission report and findings following their work to evidence the scale of food insecurity across the UK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commission’s report provides a roadmap and clear actions all governments across the UK must take to end food insecurity for all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This includes ending school meal debt for good for all children the length of the country, from Aberdeen to Aberystwyth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Scotland, the SNP made a commitment during the Scottish Parliamentary election campaign to end school meal debt once and for all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That manifesto pledge was then followed by the First Minister announcing that families struggling with school meal debt would continue to be helped by committing the same level of investment again this year to write that debt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time this will happen alongside the further expansion of Free School Meals in primary schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The urgent measure and a preventative solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is much more the First Minister must do to make real progress on his ambition to “eradicate child poverty”.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this is one example that the rest of the UK can follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making sure no child ever again is burdened with debt or goes hungry at school would be a quick win for Andy Burnham, to show his commitment to tackling food insecurity by ending school meal debt in every postcode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Martin Canavan\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Head of Policy & Influencing \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>",null,"2026-10-21T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity's Head of Policy & Influencing, Martin Canavan, shares what must be done to end school meal debt and hidden hunger in schools for good. He shares what has been done in Scotland and what must be done in England.","media\u002Fshared image.jpg","2026-10-21T13:33:25.000000Z","2026-10-22T08:11:54.000000Z",{"id":18,"blog_author_id":19,"blog_category_id":20,"is_featured":7,"title":21,"slug":22,"content":23,"content_overview":11,"published_at":24,"seo_title":21,"seo_description":25,"image":26,"created_at":27,"updated_at":28,"next":29,"prev":39},"01m142s7kbpnfwbn7r7rt74n8d","9cdbdd25-1564-45ec-84de-602c5009ebe1","1","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",{"id":30,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":20,"is_featured":7,"title":31,"slug":32,"content":33,"content_overview":11,"published_at":34,"seo_title":31,"seo_description":35,"image":36,"created_at":37,"updated_at":38},"01m1c46rdpbpvheh232nn9q4dv","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":40,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":20,"is_featured":7,"title":41,"slug":42,"content":43,"content_overview":11,"published_at":44,"seo_title":41,"seo_description":45,"image":46,"created_at":47,"updated_at":47},"01kzrc8c0sdxdchtebdgx0g4hj","Hundreds enjoy outdoor fun at Playday in Aberdeen ","hundreds-enjoy-outdoor-fun-at-playday-in-aberdeen","\u003Cp>Hundreds of children and families came together at Hazlehead Park this month to celebrate the joy of outdoor play as Aberdeen Playday returned for another successful year. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Organised by Aberlour Children's Charity alongside community partners for the third year, the free event transformed the park into a giant playground, giving children the chance to explore, play, make friends and enjoy a break from screens as part of the UK's annual Playday celebrations. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Families from across the city took part in a wide range of activities designed to encourage active, imaginative outdoor play and strengthen community connections during the summer holidays. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Sarah Calder, Manager of Aberlour's Options Aberdeen service, said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>It was a terrific day, bringing children, families and communities together in a really simple and fun way. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're delighted so many groups and organisations have helped us return this year and couldn't be happier to see so many children having fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The event highlights the importance of play in supporting children's confidence, wellbeing and sense of belonging, while providing families with opportunities to connect with local services and support organisations. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.playscotland.org\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Play Scotland\u003C\u002Fa>, the national charity for children's play, partnered with Aberlour for the event and encouraged families to share their views on outdoor play provision through its Play Park Survey, helping shape future improvements to play spaces. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Mary Ramsay, Chief Executive of Play Scotland, said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Playday is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the power of play and create lasting memories and connection. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are excited to speak directly with children and families in Aberdeen about their spaces for play as part of our Play Park Survey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>With hundreds of children enjoying a day of outdoor adventures, creativity and friendship, this year's Playday once again demonstrated the value of accessible, community-based activities that bring families together and celebrate the simple power of play. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour would like to thank all the organisations, volunteers and community partners who helped make the event such a success and ensured children across Aberdeen could enjoy a fun-filled day outdoors.\u003C\u002Fp>","2026-08-05T00:00:00.000000Z","Hundreds of children and families came together at Hazlehead Park this month to celebrate the joy of outdoor play as Aberdeen Playday returned for another successful year, organised by Aberlour Children's Charity.","media\u002FPlayDay 2026_2.jpg","2026-08-11T12:20:17.000000Z"]