LOCAL family support charity, Home-Start Aberdeen, has received a £163,000 award from The National Lottery Community Fund, made possible by National Lottery players. The two-year “Improving Lives” grant will fund two staff posts, allowing them to continue to provide invaluable support to some of Aberdeen’s most vulnerable young children and their families. The Family Support Worker will work one-to-one with families experiencing difficulties, while the Coordinator will support and supervise volunteers who are supporting families.
Home-Start Aberdeen provides life-changing support to families across the city through its local community network of trained volunteers and experienced staff. Starting in the home, the charity’s approach is as individual as the people it helps, offering compassionate, confidential support, and helping parents to gain the knowledge, skills and resources they need to give their children the best possible start in life. The ‘Improving Lives’ grant is expected to help 65 Aberdeen families.
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“Demand for our services increases annually and we now support around 200 families in Aberdeen every year,” said Eleanor McEwan, Chief Executive. “We currently have 63 volunteers giving their skills, time and energy to help make life better for children and families, but we need more.
“On average it costs Home-Start Aberdeen £1,500 to support a family through the challenges they face until they can cope again. Our volunteers are there to help the whole family and to reach children in their vital early years to ensure they have the best possible start in life. The continuation of this grant funding from The National Lottery Community Fund reinforces Home-Start Aberdeen’s importance as a source of support and allows us to keep making a positive impact for families who need our help.”
The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “This project, delivered by Home-Start Aberdeen, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others. It’s all thanks to National Lottery players that we can help give charities and community groups throughout Scotland greater certainty during challenging times.”
National Lottery players raise £30 million every week for good causes in the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund in Scotland is currently focusing its funding on those projects which are supporting organisations and communities to respond to the ongoing challenges introduced by COVID-19.
For over 30 years Home-Start Aberdeen has been supporting vulnerable families across the city to prevent family crisis and breakdown. These families have at least one child under the age of five and are typically affected by social isolation, bereavement, relationship problems, illness, disability and financial hardship. Home Start Aberdeen positively welcomes and seeks to ensure we achieve diversity. We encourage interest from all regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality. For more information on Home-Start Aberdeen visit www.homestartaberdeen.org.uk
