In March, local mums, dads, and carers invited local councillors and others to their ‘No Place Like Home’ campaign event in South Ayrshire. The No Place Like Home Campaign aims to raise awareness of the rights and capabilities of parents with learning disabilities who, with the right support at the right time, can keep their … Continued
It is probably an understatement to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for all of us. But for many of the children, young people, and families we work with, the experience of social distancing and lockdown has added to the existing day-to-day challenges they already face. For children and young people with disabilities … Continued
Watch Russell Walker from the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and our Deputy Director, Liz Nolan, discussing Aberlour’s strategy and duty of care during the Coronavirus crisis
Watch our CEO SallyAnn Kelly on BBC The Nine discussing the devastating effects of the Coronavirus pandemic and the measures we’ve taken to help fight poverty with our Coronavirus Urgent Assistance Fund below.
Together with over 100 children’s charities, faith groups, academics, think tanks, poverty campaigners, and trade unions we have written an open letter to the First Minister calling for a direct financial boost for all families living on low incomes to support them through the Coronavirus crisis. The letter expresses grave concern that families across Scotland … Continued
Read our evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee on the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable children below.
It’s Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week so we would like to share with you the inspiring story of Melissa and her Perinatal Befriender Sharon: “I was crying every day… so it was nice having someone there that was outside of the family but that I trusted…” – Melissa https://bit.ly/3cjfgSo We support mothers struggling with anxiety … Continued
At Aberlour, we are seeing first-hand the profound impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on families we work with, many already in the grip of poverty, and we are encountering extraordinary challenges making sure children, young people and families continue to get the practical, emotional and financial support they badly need. Here you can read … Continued
Together with Children 1st, we joined forces with the Government’s ‘No One Left Behind’ scheme to distribute laptops and tablets to hundreds of Scotland’s most deprived families. These vital communication lifelines will support vulnerable families who are enduring extremely daunting self-isolating home environments and will help us stay in touch with them. Find out more … Continued
Today, 7 April 2020, we have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, together with more than 60 charities and children’s organisations, advice organisations, academics, unions and faith leaders, calling for a £10 per child weekly uplift in universal child benefit to help families through the COVID-19 crisis. We welcome the steps taken … Continued
With Easter approaching, Aberlour is delighted to have received the support of the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Right Reverend Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness, has backed our campaign to raise funds for families with children who are experiencing financial crisis as a result of the Coronavirus. You can watch a … Continued
Thousands of children and their families will experience significant levels of poverty as a result of the Coronavirus. Whilst the situation is changing daily at present, the full-scale of the impact of Covid-19 is yet to be fully quantified. What is certain however is that families already at breaking point will struggle to put food … Continued
As with all organisations, the Coronavirus COVID-19 has the potential to present Aberlour with some real challenges. The health and wellbeing of the children, young people and families we support is of the utmost importance to us. Continuing to provide this support, where possible and safe, is our top priority. We want to reassure partners, … Continued
Aberlour – Scotland’s Children’s Charity has won two prestigious awards at the National Youth Work Awards for going above and beyond for young people in Glasgow. The Aberlour Family Support Service based in Glasgow won the Community Based Youth Work award for demonstrating that by working with young people and local partners, thriving communities with … Continued
27,000 children in Scotland are affected by a parent going into prison every year, around double the number of children affected by divorce, according to the latest Scottish Government statistics. Research also shows that having a parent or family member in prison can have a serious impact on a child’s wellbeing and mental health, which … Continued
A north-east charity is providing training to young people in a bid to fill skills gaps in the childcare sector. Aberlour Futures works to deliver vocational qualifications and training for the early learning and childcare workforce in Aberdeen city and shire. Its Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services (Children and Young People) gives pupils accelerated access … Continued
At The Gathering last week, I was fortunate to share a platform with the First Minister and other third sector leaders. I made a simple call which resonated strongly with the audience in the room and on social media – if we are serious about changing lives, we must unleash the power of the third … Continued
Following the publication of the Independent Care Review conclusions last week, John Ryan, Aberlour’s Assistant Director for residential care services blogs his thoughts on the Review, why he’s proud of the changes already implemented, and what lies ahead. Scotland is at a pivotal time in its social history. In 2016 Scotland’s First Minister launched the … Continued
