[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f10b3rz2z388kj":3,"$f3gddmnok2qjgd":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":42},"01j96x6fsm0mfrb56554zznjgq","9c8b0191-fcca-48df-af06-d7308bbd8d7b","1","Memorial golf day raises staggering amount for children’s disability service","memorial-golf-day-raises-staggering-amount-for-childrens-disability-service","\u003Cp>A golf day held in memory of Prestonpans local man, James Murphy, has raised a staggering £3150 for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Foptions-lothian\">Aberlour Children’s Charity Options Lothian disability service\u003C\u002Fa> at Bankfoot in Prestonpans.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>Held at Royal Musselburgh Golf Course, this was the fourth year The James Murphy memorial golf day has been run by James’s daughter Danielle Taylor and her brother Connor Murphy. Each year the fundraising golf day raises money for local charities and this year they chose Aberlour Options Lothian as the sole beneficiary.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>Aberlour Options Lothian provides short breaks respite care for children and young people up to the age of 23 years with complex needs and disabilities. The residential house offers a safe homely environment where children and young people can stay giving their families and carers a break from their caring responsibilities.  \u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>\u003Cstrong>Danielle said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>“As a family it means the world to us that Dad is remembered. Born and bred in Prestonpans, he was funny, caring, larger than life and of course a keen golfer. This year’s golf day was a great success with over 50 players competing for the James Murphy trophy. We were thrilled that the event raised such an incredible amount. \u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>“We decided that we would donate this year’s funds raised to Aberlour Options Lothian after we were made aware of the service by our friend who volunteers there. Not everyone is aware of the amazing things they do, which became very apparent when Lorna, the service manager, showed us around.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>“Children’s charities meant so much to Dad. By donating to Aberlour Options Lothian it’s great to know that Dad is still making an impact in his local community and through this his spirit lives on.”\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr>\u003Cstrong>Aberlour Assistant Director, Cheryl Douglas said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>“We are so grateful to Danielle, the Murphy family and all the participants from the golf day for the fabulous amount they raised for Aberlour Options Lothian. This will make a huge difference to the lives of children, young people and families in Prestonpans. Thank you so very much.”\u003C\u002Fblockquote>","2024-10-02T00:00:00.000000Z","Local family from Prestonpans raises over £3000 for the Aberlour Children's Charity's disability service in their area through an annual memorial golf day.","media\u002F01J96XCAP3Y5H3X8WKMJTC1HQW.jpg","2024-10-02T15:22:22.000000Z","2024-10-02T15:25:34.000000Z",{"id":30,"blog_author_id":19,"blog_category_id":31,"is_featured":32,"title":33,"slug":34,"content":35,"content_overview":11,"published_at":36,"seo_title":37,"seo_description":38,"image":39,"created_at":40,"updated_at":41},"01j997ghbnrsapd1ep7jd28yvb","2",true,"Blog: Challenge Poverty Week 2024","blog-challenge-poverty-week-2024","\u003Cp>This week is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.povertyalliance.org\u002Fcpw\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Challenge Poverty Week\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every year at this time we shine a light on the incredible efforts of all those organisations and individuals doing all they can to challenge poverty across Scotland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite these efforts we’ve witnessed another year where child poverty has failed to reduce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, by some measures child poverty in Scotland is rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Aberlour, we stand at the forefront of supporting Scotland's most disadvantaged children and families, and we do all we can do to tackle child poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too often it feels like we are applying a sticking plaster to a gaping wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s because ending child poverty is a political choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Children do not choose to grow up in poverty, but governments make choices that either improve people’s lives or don’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far, neither the Scottish Government nor UK Government have chosen to end child poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve now had three first ministers pledging to make child poverty their absolute priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time is long overdue for us to move beyond incremental shifts at best, and sound bites at worst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resources haven’t followed key promises, and to our eternal shame, promises have been made and broken to some children who have only known uncertainty and broken promises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lifting our people out of poverty and destitution benefits us all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The evidence could not be clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Aberlour, what we see every day are parents absolutely trying to do the best they possibly can.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they find themselves in intolerable situations – situations which anyone would find equally intolerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you cannot feed your children or have to choose between them eating or you, or sending them to school in uniforms that are too small, or ill-fitting shoes, the level of stress that creates in families is really significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The richness of childhood is under threat because of the way society is being fractured and changed by the relentless devastation of poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most recent child poverty figures tell us that despite Scottish Government’s efforts to reduce child poverty, including through delivering the Scottish Child Payment, progress has stalled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ending child poverty does not start and end in with decisions made in Scotland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We have two governments now – one in Holyrood and one in Westminster – who claim to be committed to ending child poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Minister has been clear that his number one priority is to end child poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prime Minister has commissioned a Child Poverty Taskforce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both are welcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those commitments must be matched by clear actions and investment – such as ending the heinous, poverty creating two child limit policy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, they are simply warm words and good intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We need a different politics now across the UK, one of collaboration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each government must commit to working together to achieve the shared ambition to end child poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then we would begin to see some progress that would make a real and meaningful difference in the lives of our poorest children and families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One area where I believe both governments must take action to help and support struggling families is by tackling public debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Low-income families across the UK are in the midst of a debt crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelmingly our evidence shows that public debt, such as council tax arrears, rent, and even school meal debt, is trapping families in an unbreakable cycle of poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our research has made clear that public debt is a key contributor to levels of child poverty, with one study showing that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fnews-item\u002Fnew-report-debt-to-public-bodies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">75% of debt owed by low-income families is public debt.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Families already disadvantaged because they’re on the breadline are doubly disadvantaged because they’re getting automatic removals from their income before it hits the bank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Families whose income already fails to meet their needs or allows them to provide the essentials for their children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These debts then trap families in poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we’re serious about tackling child poverty, then we must be equally committed to tackling public debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We need a plan to tackle the debt crisis that means not reducing household budgets, but instead keeps money in families’ pockets for the things that they need for their children to thrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Challenge Poverty Week that is what I urge John Swinney and Keir Starmer to do.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>SallyAnn Kelly OBE, \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Aberlour Chief Executive\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>This article was written for The Scottish Sun and published on Tuesday 8th October 2024.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>","2024-10-07T00:00:00.000000Z","Latest blog from Aberlour CEO SallyAnn Kelly, Challenge Poverty Week 2024","Read the latest blog from Aberlour CEO, SallyAnn Kelly OBE. Monday 7th October 2024 is the start of Challenge Poverty Week. SallyAnn explains what families living in poverty need now from the Scottish and UK Governments.","media\u002F01J997GHBJ5Z1VF9D0S25TJJSJ.jpg","2024-10-03T13:01:06.000000Z","2024-10-08T10:46:10.000000Z",{"id":43,"blog_author_id":19,"blog_category_id":20,"is_featured":32,"title":44,"slug":45,"content":46,"content_overview":11,"published_at":47,"seo_title":44,"seo_description":48,"image":49,"created_at":50,"updated_at":51},"01j856rb0z5m6mnr59yv6xsa4m","‘New parents, new home, new life’: Charity’s first foster family 20 years on","new-parents-new-home-new-life-charitys-first-foster-family-20-years-on","\u003Cp>Driving south to Flamingo Land, Natasha was not just beginning a holiday but starting a new life.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>The teenager, who had grown up in residential care, had been away before but never as part of a family. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“I remember being excited but nervous too. It felt like my whole life had turned upside down,” \u003Cstrong>she said.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“On the first day with my new foster parents, they told me they were going on holiday.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“They must have seen the look of disappointment on my face and just laughed, saying of course I was going too, that I was part of the family now.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“It felt completely strange and completely natural at the same time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now, 20 years on from her momentous trip to the Yorkshire theme park, Natasha is helping celebrate the life-changing role played by Scotland’s foster carers.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She was the first girl to find a family when \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fhelp-us\u002Ffostering\">\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Aberlour, Scotland’s biggest children’s charity,\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa> launched its fostering service in 2004 and says it transformed her life.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now 35, Natasha had lived in residential care for almost a decade after being removed from a family fractured by abuse and neglect along with her six siblings.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> “I was 15 and remember worrying about what would happen when I was 18. I had no idea what would happen next.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“To find a family at last meant everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The legacy of her early years meant she had trouble trusting adults and, she said, her new family, like any other, suffered turbulence at times.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“It wasn’t all smooth sailing. I had been through a lot and those first few years are a crucial time.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“There were courts and police, a lot for me to deal with. There was trauma there.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“Thankfully, Aberlour supports foster carers to understand how children testing boundaries or acting out can often be about something else altogether. It can be a cry for help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“It just takes time. It took me years to accept love and compliments from my mum and dad. Even now, I struggle to accept a hug from them. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“Accepting someone likes you never mind loves you can be difficult for children who have never experienced it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“It took three or four years before I called them mum and dad, for example, but it soon felt natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Twenty years on, her foster family is now just her family and the care worker from Clackmannanshire still lives nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> “I can’t imagine what my life would be like without them. To know someone is there for you is like a suit of armour.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“Most people take it for granted but I never did and I never will. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“I used to wonder what might have happened if I hadn’t found my family? Where would I be? Who would I be?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“But I know who I am now and who my family is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said foster carers have the potential to transform young lives:\u003C\u002Fstrong> “Children need someone there for them. To be that someone is huge, to literally change someone’s life is an incredible thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>However, her mum and dad – Aberlour’s first foster parents – said the real satisfaction is not found in what they give children but what they get in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The couple had a background in social work and residential care but were still surprised by the positive impact of fostering on their family.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>David and Shona - not their real names, they would rather not be identified to protect the privacy other children – said fostering Natasha was life-changing for everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Shona, 56, said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> “Even though we had worked in care, it was still a shock to have this child, who had been quite traumatised, living with us. It felt scary.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“It was terrifying for Natasha too because she hadn’t been with a family for so long.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“There had been long discussions about fostering but eventually we just decided to go for it, to bring these kids up alongside our own. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“Children need a family to grow. Families aren’t possible for every child but are the best way of giving them stability and seeing them through to adulthood.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“When I was training as a social worker, we’d be told that if there’s one person crazy about you then you are more likely to succeed. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“We just wanted to be the people crazy for these kids.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The couple were speaking ahead of a celebration to mark the 20th anniversary of Aberlour’s fostering service later this month and encouraged other families to think about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>David, 58, said the couple started fostering “with clear eyes” but the demands - and the rewards - were still more than they expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>He said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> “There are a lot of great times, a lot of happiness, but it’s not the Waltons.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“It’s the same for any family but, because of their experience, foster children bring an unpredictability. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“You can be in the trenches at times but the dark days get lighter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When advising couples thinking about fostering, he encourages them to understand the reality of their responsibility and not romanticise the role.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>He said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> “Sometimes you hear people talk about ‘rescuing’ children.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“We’re not here to rescue anyone, we’re here to support them and encourage them, to give them the chance to live happy, fulfilled lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“If we can do that, it’s enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Shona said\u003C\u002Fstrong> it was when Natasha left home at 22 that she finally realised her family was for life.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“She got her own place and realised we were still there for her, that we’re here for the long haul. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“She is our daughter, a fine young woman.” \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The couple said their family including six children, some fostered, some not, has ups and downs like any other.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Shona said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> “It’s not a bed of roses. It’s family life. It’s about belonging and it’s about love, unconditional love.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>“When I was 50, the kids gave me a handmade memory book and on the cover it said ‘We’re not step, we’re not half, we’re not fostered, we’re family.’\u003Cbr>“It is the nicest thing I have ever been given. It is lovely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Lynne O’Brien, Aberlour’s chief officer of children and families, said:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\"We’re proud to be celebrating 20 years of Aberlour Fostering supporting children, young people and foster carers. We have a long-term commitment to providing loving, caring and supportive foster care for children and young people, helping to transform lives. Children’s rights are at the heart of everything we do at Aberlour and we continue to listen and learn from children, young people and families to ensure we deliver the best care and support.”\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fhelp-us\u002Ffostering\">Find out more about becoming a foster carer and joining the Aberlour fostering family. \u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>This article was written for The Sunday Post, published on Sunday 23rd September 2024.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>","2024-09-23T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity celebrates 20 years of our fostering service. Read all about the experience of fostering from our first ever fostered child and her foster parents.","media\u002F01J856RB0XV2JCC8FJMZT30EQB.jpeg","2024-09-19T13:15:14.000000Z","2024-09-27T11:07:36.000000Z"]