[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f10b3rz2z388kj":3,"$f1hsbbwe68mhn7":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":37},"01jzjhg5ey84jbn5xj2qacfqfx","1","Teens walk a mile for every year to celebrate charity’s 150th anniversary","teens-walk-a-mile-for-every-year-to-celebrate-charitys-150th-anniversary","\u003Cp>Young people are mapping the history of a leading children’s charity with an epic trek that started in Fife on Monday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The intrepid teenagers are marking the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002F150\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">150th anniversary\u003C\u002Fa> of Aberlour Children’s Charity walking from Kirkcaldy, where its first smaller residential house opened in 1967, to the Speyside village where it all began in 1875.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 150-mile Big Walk – 154 miles to be precise - will take a month and end at the site of the orphanage in Aberlour, now demolished, which opened its doors to disadvantaged children in 1875 and led to the charity named after the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walkers left the children’s house in Kirkcaldy, on Monday [7th July 2025] to begin the spectacular long walk north that will take them through the Cairngorms where they will camp in the wilderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The charity, one of the most respected children’s charities in the UK, operates seven children’s houses with each providing a safe and loving home to young people unable to live with their families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five houses across Fife and two in the Highlands are at the heart of their communities, close to schools and parks, and provide safe spaces where children, who have often suffered childhood trauma, can heal and grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completion of the anniversary walk, supported by Aberlour-based shortbread giant Walkers, will be celebrated by a party at one of the residential houses in Inverness on August 7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Aberlour’s Lynne Reid, head of residential admissions and programmes, said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Our young people were determined to help celebrate our anniversary and decided walking 150 miles for 150 years was the perfect way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have planned the route carefully with expert help and everyone is excited and looking forward to the adventure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All the preparations have been made and we are only hoping the weather cooperates and keeps our socks dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The Big Walk will raise money for a special fund, helping children living in Aberlour’s residential houses to share activities and experiences with their families and strengthen those relationships.\u003C\u002Fp>","2025-07-08T00:00:00.000000Z","Young people are mapping the history of a leading children’s charity with an epic trek that started in Fife. The intrepid teenagers are marking the 150th anniversary of Aberlour Children’s Charity walking 150 miles to Aberlour village.","media\u002FAberlours Big Walk - Kick Off Group Photo_070725.jpg","2025-07-07T13:34:10.000000Z","2025-07-07T13:42:46.000000Z",{"id":29,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":19,"is_featured":7,"title":30,"slug":31,"content":32,"content_overview":11,"published_at":33,"seo_title":30,"seo_description":34,"image":35,"created_at":36,"updated_at":36},"01k18pab80tgfvaepjp0fm393v","Proceeds of crime help D&G teens stay out of trouble ","proceeds-of-crime-help-dg-teens-stay-out-of-trouble","\u003Cp>The proceeds of crime are helping steer teenagers in Dumfries and Galloway towards brighter futures, according to a leading charity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour Children’s Charity has detailed the success of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Falternative-routes-cashback-dumfries-and-galloway\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alternative Routes #CashBack\u003C\u002Fa>, a lifeline support service funded by money seized from criminals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expert support helps children and young people at risk of offending find a new way forward. Aberlour assistant director, Deborah Grant, said the five-strong team is on track to support 330 young people, mostly boys aged between ten and 15, in the region over three years. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Grant said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The service has changed the lives of many young people and their stories are inspiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They are finding new confidence in their abilities and new hope for their futures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fpublications\u002Falternative-routes-cashback-impact-report-2024-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Data collected by the charity\u003C\u002Fa> revealed four fifths of the 79 children supported last year said they were less likely to take part in anti-social behaviour and 72% said their behaviour had improved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around 80% said they had a better relationship with teachers and were attending school more regularly. Three in five said they had more self-belief while 65% said they were stronger mentally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grant also highlighted the “ripple effect” seen when the support for one member of a family helps improve the health and lives of parents, grandparents or siblings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>We have also seen a significant increase in demand for emotional and practical support from parents of the young people we work with.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Supporting parents in turn strengthens our work with their children and improves their chances of long-term success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Many of the young people, aged between ten and 25, have complex social and emotional needs, while some are neurodivergent or are waiting for medical assessments. Many already have experience of the criminal justice system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The charity’s team, based at family support hubs at Dumfries, Annan and Stranraer and working with partners Inspiring Scotland, delivers support in group, family and individual sessions, designed to build young people’s skills, confidence, and ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young people are encouraged to understand their previous behaviour and encouraged to address the underlying causes, such as difficult relationships with their parents or problematic use of alcohol and drugs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around 26% of children in Dumfries and Galloway are growing up in low-income homes and the Aberlour support is centred on five of the poorest areas: North-West Dumfries, Stranraer and the Rhins, Mid and Upper Nithsdale, Annandale South, and Nith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Funding for the services comes from the proceeds of crime seized by the Scottish Government and channelled back into communities. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Projects supporting young people at risk of being drawn into criminal activities are to receive up to £26 million over the next three years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme reinvests criminal assets recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act, to provide crucial support to young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in offending or antisocial behaviour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The charity works to help young people, who are already in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system, to find a new path to work or further education.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Jonathan’s story\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You talk sense into me.’\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>Jonathan, not his real name, was using cannabis regularly and at risk of falling out of education before finding support with Alternative Routes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through one to one support, the Aberlour service helped him reduce his drugs and re-engage with school after missing almost a full year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After changing school and being offered extra tuition to catch-up, he began studying at home for the first time and is now exploring college options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The positive impact of that help and support has extended further with his girlfriend, who had also been out of education due to challenges at school, finding a work placement in a café. She says Jonathan’s progress made her want to try again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asked how working with the charity has helped turn things around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Jonathan said:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>You’ve been good to talk to. You talk sense into me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>","2025-07-28T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity's Alternative Routes #CashBack helps children and young people at risk of offending find a new way forward in Dumfries and Galloway.","media\u002FTeenage boy with headphones.jpg","2025-07-28T14:17:21.000000Z",{"id":38,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":19,"is_featured":7,"title":39,"slug":40,"content":41,"content_overview":11,"published_at":42,"seo_title":43,"seo_description":44,"image":45,"created_at":46,"updated_at":47},"01jygn1g66x6j5m8hh5p12hbsx","Aberlour Children's Charity is delighted to announce the appointment of Justina Murray as our new Chief Executive ","aberlour-childrens-charity-is-delighted-to-announce-the-appointment-of-justina-murray-our-new-chief-executive","\u003Cp>Today [Tuesday 24th June 2025] Aberlour Children's Charity is delighted to annouce the appointment of Justina Murray as our new Chief Exectuive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Justina, an advocate for social justice with over 30 years’ experience in the public and third sector, joins Aberlour from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sfad.org.uk\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs\u003C\u002Fa> (Scottish Families), where she worked since 2017 following previous senior roles at South West Scotland Community Justice Authority, North Ayrshire Council and strategic policy posts in Auckland, New Zealand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During her eight years as Chief Executive of Scottish Families Justina transformed the charity, introducing multiple new services and innovative programmes to extend reach and impact. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under her leadership, Scottish Families profile and influence has grown greatly and the staff team and charity income increased significantly. Justina is now eager to make a lasting impact for children and families supported by Aberlour, the largest solely Scottish children’s charity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Justina says: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>I feel very humbled and privileged to be taking up the role of Chief Executive at Aberlour. I intend to bring the same level of energy, passion and commitment as SallyAnn has so visibly demonstrated over her time with the charity. I recognise I have very big shoes to fill! I am really looking forward to joining the team, continuing Aberlour’s vital work to beat poverty and discrimination, and working hard to make rights real for Scotland’s children, young people and families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Justina will be starting her new role in Autumn, succeeding SallyAnn Kelly OBE who has led Aberlour as CEO for 11 years and is hailed as a leading voice in the third sector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Aberlour’s Chair, David Robb, said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>We are excited to welcome Justina as our new CEO. Whilst we have made significant progress for children and families across Scotland there is still much to be done. Justina embodies the values of Aberlour and we are keen to leverage her knowledge and experience, alongside her commitment and drive to create change to secure better outcomes for children and families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>David added: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>We would also like to express our gratitude to SallyAnn for her outstanding commitment and dedication to Aberlour. She has revitalised the organisation over the last 11 years, introducing many new services and enriching and strengthening the ways in which we support children and families across the country, placing campaigning for children and families at the heart of what we do.\u003Cbr> \u003Cbr>“As we celebrate our 150th year, we are well-placed to look to the future, and we very much look forward to welcoming Justina to the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>","2025-06-24T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity is delighted to announce the appointment of Justina Murray our new Chief Executive ","On Tuesday 24th June 2025 Aberlour Children's Charity is delighted to announce the appointment of Justina Murray as its new Chief Executive.","media\u002FJM2.jpg","2025-06-24T09:41:53.000000Z","2025-06-24T09:57:59.000000Z"]