[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f10b3rz2z388kj":3,"$f15gj3a1f1upki":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":5,"blog_category_id":19,"is_featured":7,"title":20,"slug":21,"content":22,"content_overview":11,"published_at":23,"seo_title":20,"seo_description":24,"image":25,"created_at":26,"updated_at":27,"next":28,"prev":41},"01k33dzj7dqfshdkbq4hd41rwy","1","Parents unable to care for their children hail lifeline support","parents-unable-to-care-for-their-children-hail-lifeline-support","\u003Cp>Parents whose children have been taken into care have hailed lifeline support helping them cope with their loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Birth parents unable to parent full time or those affected by child protection proceedings said the expert support has helped ease feelings of despair and isolation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour Children’s Charity delivers Family Matters, a pioneering support scheme, offering parents help to cope after a child is taken into permanent care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assistant Director Deborah Grant said the loss of a child can be devastating for parents often already dealing with issues ranging from domestic abuse and substance use to poor housing, mental health issues and learning needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>A child being taken into permanent care can have an enduring and wide-ranging impact on their families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Birth parents can become crushed by the loss and feelings of despair, and, without expert help, those powerful emotions can sabotage their future and that of their families. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is about allowing them space to reflect on their absent children and better understand their family’s experience and come to terms with it. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We support people to break habits of self-sabotating behaviour often rooted in fear and low self-esteem, to talk about the sadness of missing their child, their childhood milestones and birthdays. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We offer a space for parents to talk and begin to understand what has happened and how they can help influence what happens next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>One to one and group sessions held at a range of community venues across South Ayrshire allow parents to talk about children taken into permanent care or adoption. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Aberlour support team also offers practical multi-agency support and help on a range of issues, from managing household budgets and housing to substance use and mental health. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The charity believes Family Matters, funded by the Scottish Government via the Corra Foundation, helps parents understand the change needed to provide safe homes for their other children and avoid further social work intervention. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The experience of birth parents can also help improve the process and ease the impact of children entering care, according to Aberlour, which hopes to strengthen and expand the service in the years ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grant said a child being taken into care can also trigger feelings of confusion and guilt among siblings remaining at home and the charity’s expert support protects their wellbeing as well as their parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One mum said the service became a lifeline when she was at risk of floundering after her daughter was taken into care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>I started working with Aberlour around three years ago and for me it was a lifeline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It gave me hope that things could get better after my daughter was adopted and I lost all contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When it became final my mental health deteriorated. I was grieving a child who was still alive, and I felt so alone. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Things were bad for a while, but Aberlour understood how I was feeling and, although I couldn't fix the situation, I began to understand that I could make it better and properly focus on my other kids. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have bad days like everyone but I can cope now and deal with things. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was definitely in a downward spiral but feel like I was given another chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Fleur Steven, who leads the Family Matters team, said group sessions are particularly important to help parents share their experience and understand their feelings of loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The experience of a child being taken into care can be hugely destabilising for parents and their families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After birth parents realise they will no longer have any involvement in their child’s lives, they can feel terribly isolated and believe no one understands how they are feeling or sympathise with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our groups allow them to speak to others who have experienced the same loss and talk about what happened and what happens next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is a lot of sadness but hope too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>For more information on the Aberlour Family Matters service please email Fleur Steven on Fleur.Steven@aberlour.org.uk\u003C\u002Fp>","2025-08-20T00:00:00.000000Z","Parents whose children have been taken into care have hailed lifeline support from Aberlour Children's Charity as helping them cope with their loss.","media\u002FDeborah Grant Headshot 01.jpg","2025-08-20T09:46:51.000000Z","2025-08-20T15:11:43.000000Z",{"id":29,"blog_author_id":30,"blog_category_id":31,"is_featured":7,"title":32,"slug":33,"content":34,"content_overview":11,"published_at":35,"seo_title":36,"seo_description":37,"image":38,"created_at":39,"updated_at":40},"01k38mkcxh350thnxadzfpcapf","9cdbdd25-1564-45ec-84de-602c5009ebe1","01j303dx3cjt8w60w789nzk3vr","Johnny, our frontline youth worker warns of a lost generation of young Scots ","frontline-youth-worker-warns-of-a-lost-generation-of-young-scots","\u003Cp>Our veteran youth worker has urged greater support for Scotland’s children as he stands down after three decades on the frontline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Johnny Hendry, who has been working with youngsters in Govan for more than 30 years, called for urgent action to ease the damage inflicted by the pandemic on the lives of many young people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He retired from Aberlour Children’s Charity yesterday and said he is stepping back with mixed emotions after years of austerity undermined funding for life-changing youth services. Johnny said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp> I’ve been the luckiest man in Govan to have worked with so many brilliant young people but it’s no easier for them now than it was when I started. In many ways, it’s harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lockdowns have affected young people in ways that we haven’t even measured yet never mind addressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is a whole generation that lost so much during those years, whether socialising or education, and they need to be our number one priority. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They sacrificed a huge amount and we should be making that up to them. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The epidemic of mental health problems, stress, anxiety, depression, affecting young people, for example, is already clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are children being left behind right now, who are disengaging right now, and they need more help and support not less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Johnny ran a popular youth club in Govan for years, as part of Aberlour's Youthpoint Glasgow Service, and said it was a safe haven for young people whose home life might have been affected by social issues like poverty, substance use, or domestic abuse. He said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Just knowing we’re there for them can make all the difference in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We built relationships with young people that lasted long after they left the club. It is about building trust and relationships but also consistency about being there, year after year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Johnny hails the people of Govan for their strength and spirit and says their communities deserve greater backing. He said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>There are social issues here like elsewhere but protecting young people from the impact of those issues has to be the priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why can’t there be a hub for youth services in Govan, for example?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One place, pulling everything together, where young people know they can come for help or advice or just a game of pool and some company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That should not be impossible but funding is so difficult. We cut this and cut that but every pound spent on improving the lives and chances of young people is a pound invested in our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We get that investment back ten times over when they grow up healthy and happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Johnny said their importance cannot be overestimated for providing a destination away from drink, drugs, and crime while also building a crucial support network for young people seeking a new direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Johnny said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The actual activities are only the tip of the iceberg. It might be the reason young people come but not the reason they stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clubs are a meeting place, a support network. It is not easy to build trust with young people. It is hard work but the rewards are immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To help a young person gain confidence, to find something at school that engages them, to get a job, start a family? There is nothing more rewarding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helping one child find a foothold in life is enough in itself but the real challenge is to cement that, to make sure their children get the same chances and their children’s children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is all I have tried to do and I can’t think of a more important job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour paid tribute to the veteran youth worker as he retires and said he has helped change the lives of countless young Glaswegians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxine Hawthorn, assistant director, said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Johnny leaves an amazing legacy in Govan. He will be missed by Aberlour but just as missed in the communities where he helped so many young people for so many years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tireless support, emotional and practical, helped many of them find a foothold and forge a secure future that, without him, would not have been possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>","2025-08-22T00:00:00.000000Z","Frontline youth worker warns of a lost generation of young Scots ","A veteran youth worker has urged greater support for Scotland’s children as he stands down after three decades on the frontline.","media\u002FJohnny Hendry.jpg","2025-08-22T10:18:45.000000Z","2025-08-22T10:23:34.000000Z",{"id":42,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":19,"is_featured":7,"title":43,"slug":44,"content":45,"content_overview":11,"published_at":46,"seo_title":43,"seo_description":47,"image":48,"created_at":49,"updated_at":50},"01k1e0xfpyc0h1p5p0trnexdsd","Volunteers easing pressure on new and expectant mums ","volunteers-easing-pressure-on-new-and-expectant-mums","\u003Cp>Life-changing volunteers are easing the pressure on new parents according to a leading charity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour Children’s Charity has revealed how \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Fperinatalbefriending\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">volunteer befrienders in Forth Valley\u003C\u002Fa> are helping new mums suffering from anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour, one of Scotland’s most respected charities, has detailed the lifeline support of its perinatal befrienders while launching an appeal for more as referrals surge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Angie Rennie, coordinator of the Perinatal Befriending service, said the only qualifications for volunteers are empathy and an ability to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The service started in Forth Valley but has gone from strength to strength and has successfully rolled out into other regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It started when we were receiving a lot of referrals for family support for mums with toddlers and realised the issues often started much earlier, in pregnancy or baby’s first year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We realised perinatal mental health was key and there was a need for earlier intervention and support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Rennie said the charity’s volunteer befrienders offer support in those crucial early months, giving new mums, who might be struggling, someone to talk to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Our befrienders work with the mums, just being there for them, doing what they want, at their pace, and, most of all, listening. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s flexible and shaped by what the mum wants but fundamentally there has to be trust in the relationship and listening without judging is the thing that builds that trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Volunteer Jen La Trobe became an Aberlour perinatal befriender six years ago and says it has been hugely rewarding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>It’s such an important time for new mums and their children and the benefits of having that support when it is needed can ripple on for years and years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s all about the mums and what they want or what they think might help. Helping them, helps their children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it’s a two way thing and I get so much from the mums I meet. It’s a privilege to be alongside them and their children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>La Trobe has been matched with six mums, who often have mild to moderate mental health issues, since joining the team and, usually, will see them for a few hours every week. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>La Trobe said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>I’ll do whatever is going to help make things a little easier for them. I’m there to help, to allow her to take a breath and decide for herself how things can work. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re there to help but not to fix things. To listen not judge or tell mums what they should be doing. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is about giving them the confidence to know they can do this, empowering them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s about trust, good training for the volunteers and them knowing Aberlour is always there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The charity is appealing for more volunteer befrienders to join the service and Jen Reston, Aberlour head of volunteering, said all are fully trained and supported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She 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 from co-ordinators.\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\u003Cp>“There is a real sense of satisfaction, knowing they have helped make such a positive difference to parents, babies and families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Interested in becoming an Aberlour perinatal befriender? \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fhelp-us\u002Fvolunteer\u002Frole\u002F242\">Find out more\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>","2025-07-30T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity is urgently calling for new volunteer perinatal befrienders to join their team to support new and expectant mums struggling with their mental health.","media\u002FiStock-1491465621.jpg","2025-07-30T15:58:47.000000Z","2025-07-30T15:59:58.000000Z"]