[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f10b3rz2z388kj":3,"$f19pu1s4hftjkv":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":37},"01ksf8gzcbv2d94qp5e95k4pbq","9cdbdd6d-4900-4646-a012-d3e67a5ee788","Three years running: Aberlour is named one of The Sunday Times Top 100 Best Places to Work for big organisations.","three-years-running-aberlour-is-named-one-of-the-sunday-times-top-100-best-places-to-work-for-big-organisations","\u003Cp>For the third year in a row Aberlour Children’s Charity has been recognised in the official \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.thetimes.com\u002Fbest-places-to-work\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sunday Times Best Places to Work list\u003C\u002Fa> in the big organisations’ category.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This nationwide workplace survey celebrates the UK’s top employers, showcasing organisations that are leading the way in employee engagement, workplace culture and overall employee experience. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also recognises organisations creating positive workplaces for women, the LGBTQIA+ community, disabled employees, ethnic minorities, younger and older workers, and those where staff enjoy the highest rates of wellbeing. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every member of staff at Aberlour, one of Scotland’s most respected children’s charities, was invited to take part, and we’re delighted that their feedback has once again led to this recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staff rated us highly across the board including: \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>93% were proud to work for Aberlour\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>90% have confidence in management\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>89% have job satisfaction\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>89% feel trusted to make decisions\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>88% of the team feel empowered\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>91% feel they are treated with respect\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>86% feel that Aberlour cares for their wellbeing\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>89% would recommend friends and family to work for Aberlour!\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Justina Murray, Chief Executive, said:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>I am absolutely delighted that Aberlour has been named in the Top 100 Best Places to Work for the third year running. Every day our amazing staff team show up for work full of energy, passion and pride in what we do. We know that placing trust, respect and care for each other at the heart of Aberlour makes it a great place to work, and we know this leads to better outcomes for our children and families too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Valerie Hogg, Director of People, said:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Being named in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Places to Work is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to the people, values and culture that make our organisation so special.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>","2026-05-25T00:00:00.000000Z","For the third year in a row Aberlour Children’s Charity has been recognised in the official Sunday Times Best Places to Work list in the big organisations’ category.","media\u002FBPTW_2026_BIG_ORGANISATION.jpg","2026-05-25T09:47:43.000000Z","2026-05-25T09:49:03.000000Z",{"id":28,"blog_author_id":18,"blog_category_id":5,"is_featured":6,"title":29,"slug":30,"content":31,"content_overview":10,"published_at":32,"seo_title":29,"seo_description":33,"image":34,"created_at":35,"updated_at":36},"01kt1gqmnq9bxx58bc2nbz16bp","Abuse Survivors Targeted by Tech as Digital Abuse Surges","abuse-survivors-targeted-by-tech-as-digital-abuse-surges","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Aberlour Children's Charity warns devices are being weaponised against women\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The digital abuse of women is soaring as their former partners weaponise technology, experts warn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Devices including mobile phones, doorbell cameras, and gaming platforms are being used to stalk, monitor and control women as frontline workers warn digital abuse is an escalating threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specialists supporting at-risk survivors say abusers are exploiting technology from apps to streaming services to exert coercive control long after relationships have ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour Children’s Charity, which supports abuse survivors and their families, warns digital abuse has increased dramatically in recent years with its scale and impact demanding far greater awareness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The charity’s Emma Kerr, who supports domestic abuse survivors and their families, said\u003C\u002Fstrong>:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Not only is there more digital abuse but it is getting increasingly sophisticated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only a few years ago, we would advise women leaving an abusive relationship to check their apps and location sharing permissions, reset phones to factory settings, change passwords and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now the technology is evolving so rapidly that basic security measures are often not enough.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve seen phones cloned, for example, so calls can be overheard, texts seen, and photos checked. There can be apps hidden on phones secretly relaying information to abusers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Men can be monitoring absolutely everything on their former partner’s phones while leaving no trace whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Kerr believes there should be far greater awareness of digital abuse and says combatting the weaponisation of technology is now a priority for support teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said:\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The first thing we do with women and children escaping abusive relationships is a risk assessment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The priority is securing their physical safety but that now includes the possibility of them being tracked, stalked and harassed through technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to ensure families are physically protected in their new location with additional security cameras, lighting, and locks, for example, but securing their digital lives can be just as important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, children are being contacted and engaged by their estranged, abusive fathers through gaming and streaming platforms, like Xbox, and PlayStation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Kerr\u003C\u002Fstrong>, assistant service manager with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fequallysafefalkirk.co.uk\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Equally Safe\u003C\u002Fa>, support delivered in partnership with Falkirk Council and Barnardo’s, \u003Cstrong>said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Dads will sometimes enter these platforms to contact their children in breach of access order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Others will use different names to make a connection and then begin manipulating their children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>She said women have been shocked to discover partners and former partner had continuing access to banking apps, shopping accounts, streaming devices, email accounts and location tracking through social media platforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Kerr said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>When we are building safety plans, one of our first questions will be what apps do women have and does your partner know the passwords?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most importantly, do they have anything that reveals their location and could their partner or former partners have access to that information?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very often, the women have not even thought about their phones being tools of abuse but, when asked, instantly recognise the potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The biggest, most immediate red flag for us when we get a referral through is if the woman shares a phone with her partner. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whatever the reason, almost everyone has a phone now and a partner demanding to share one can signal excessive control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Kerr said the tech is constantly evolving and abusers are increasingly skilled in finding ways to covertly exert control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With many apps in the home now linked – personal assistants connected to doorbell cameras, for example – the potential for surveillance by former partners exploiting their knowledge of passwords is constantly expanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The psychological impact can be profound, Kerr said, when women realise their former partner has been using digital devices to spy, stalk and harass them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Kerr said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>It is hugely unsettling and can make women, who have found the strength to leave abusive relationships, feel nowhere is safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their former partners might not be a physical presence inside their homes but to know they have been using electronics to secretly continue their controlling behaviour is disturbing. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For someone to start recovering from abuse, they need to feel safe and this kind of insidious surveillance makes them feel the opposite. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Discovering such an invasion of privacy can increase their feelings of being trapped of having nowhere to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It shakes their confidence and reinforces feelings of anxiety and distrust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can women feel secure if they are on edge wondering if their calls and movements are being constantly monitored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Lynne O’Brien, Chief Officer of Children and Families at Aberlour, said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Women and children in Scotland are increasing being harmed by digital abuse. At Aberlour we know this is a growing issue, we are hearing from women and children that technology is increasingly being used to control, harm and cause fear. This is even when they have left the relationship, when we know women and children are most at risk. It is vital that men are held to account for digital abuse and we ensure that support for women and children includes understanding and mitigating the risks of digital abuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fnews-item\u002Fsurvivor-reveals-how-abusive-ex-weaponised-apps-to-spy-on-her\">Read the story from one mum we support, on how her abusive ex weaponised apps to spy on her.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>This article was written for The Herald and published on Sunday 31st May 2026.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>","2026-05-31T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity shares how digital abuse of women is soaring as their former partners weaponise technology.","media\u002FiStock-2217819874.jpg","2026-06-01T11:57:30.000000Z","2026-06-01T12:59:13.000000Z",{"id":38,"blog_author_id":18,"blog_category_id":5,"is_featured":6,"title":39,"slug":40,"content":41,"content_overview":10,"published_at":42,"seo_title":39,"seo_description":43,"image":44,"created_at":45,"updated_at":45},"01ks2bhj743n59hafp7n6s67an","Lifeline support brings families back from the brink","lifeline-support-brings-families-back-from-the-brink","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Helping build new futures for Inverclyde children\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Finverclyde-intensive-family-support-service\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A new lifeline support team\u003C\u002Fa> is already working alongside Inverclyde families to bring them back from the brink of crisis, according to a leading charity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour Children’s Charity revealed a specialist team is working to help families stay together and thrive as they are struggling with significant challenges such as poverty, trauma and social isolation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team, working in partnership with Inverclyde Heath and Social Care Partnership, is now working closely with more than 20 families building relationships and supporting them to create more stable and positive futures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Service manager Nicole Glover said poverty is often the root cause of families’ difficulties but many are coping with other wide-ranging pressures from poor mental health to inadequate housing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Nicole said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The challenges can be complex and rarely come alone. That is why our support is delivered so intensively and with such urgency. Our support is flexible, responsive and shaped around each family’s unique circumstances. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are right there, shoulder to shoulder with our families, sometimes seven days a week, in the morning, in the evening, whenever they need us most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We listen to understand the challenges facing each family then help them map a way through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is not about us coming in and telling families what to do but about building on their strengths and focussing on what is working well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Glover said building trust with families, often suspicious of official agencies, is crucial and allows workers to generate a new sense of hope and potential change.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>In the very short term, we are working to ease and avert immediate crises but our priority is to deliver lasting change within a family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are working to strengthen their resilience and help them out of crisis for good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Every family is different so our support can never be one size fits all. It is tailored to the family’s needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It could be about building routines and mending fractured relationships within families or supporting children back into education.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A priority is often helping them connect again. Connect with each other and with the wider community, whether that’s neighbours, relatives or statutory services.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Families under these kind of pressures can easily become more and more isolated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fservice\u002Finverclyde-intensive-family-support-service\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Intensive Support Service\u003C\u002Fa> being delivered in Inverclyde is modelled on a successful approach deployed in Glasgow, which shares some of Scotland’s worst deprivation.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>The seven-strong Aberlour team, based in Greenock in the same building as Inverclyde HSCP, is working to secure brighter futures for children on the edge of care after their families are referred by social worker colleagues.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>Glover, who managed the Glasgow service before leading the Inverclyde service, said the framework helps families identify strengths and build agency and their self-confidence.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>We know the model works, this really close collaboration between ourselves and other services and agencies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are working closely with them but also shoulder to shoulder with families, taking what is working well and amplifying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are not here to tell families what to do but to listen to where they want to be and help get them there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To see a family’s confidence get stronger and watch children thrive, is hugely satisfying for our team. We are here to support families get to a better place. That is our job and there is nothing more satisfying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>This article was written for and published in The Greenock Telegraph on Tuesday 19th May 2026.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>","2026-05-19T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity's new Intensive Family support service in Inverclyde is helping children and families build new futures. Find out more about the service from Service Manager, Nicole Glover.","media\u002FiStock-1329347881.jpg","2026-05-20T09:30:21.000000Z"]