News Release
Home-Start the UK's leading family support charity calls on MSPs to support its work
Home-Start charities throughout Scotland are inviting their local
MSPs to see the vital role they play in supporting families in their local
communities.
The invitation comes at a time when future funding of Home-Start schemes in Scotland is uncertain.
Many Home-Start schemes are currently funded under the Sure Start programme and it is a crucial source of income. However it does only have a guaranteed life span until March 2008.
Home-Start offers support to families who are struggling to cope for many varied reasons, including- relationship breakdowns, social exclusion, post natal depression and poverty.
The core belief behind the work of Home-Start is parent to parent support. Because the advice given by volunteers is non-judgemental and confidential, Home-Start often bridges the gap between families and other statutory organisations. Our aim is to build stronger families that in turn, help to build stronger communities.
Home-Start in Scotland was set up in 1984 and since that time has supported over 27,000 families in their homes. Our schemes are managed and run by local people for local people, from the staff administrators through to the scheme trustees.
The new Holyrood administration will be spending time over the summer taking stock of family support, early years provision and intervention services. Home-Start schemes are concerned about what will replace the Sure Start programme and how well Home-Start will fit within a new initiative.
MSPs will be able to see for themselves how Home-Start and its work with strengthening families within local communities could be an important contributor to the new early years strategy. Support from local MSPs could be vital in influencing the Scottish Executive review and decision making process.
Home-Start Glasgow South has already taken steps towards forging a relationship with their local MSP- Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister. Having visited the scheme, she promised to contact Glasgow City Council to express her support.
David Milliken, Director of Home-Start in Scotland, said: "Home-Start's work in supporting families helps parents to give their children the best possible start in life. We have an important contribution to make towards the early years agenda and in particular, family support. We strongly believe that investing in families is crucial as strong families help to build strong communities."
ENDS
Notes to Editor
Contact details:
Dave Milliken, Director of Scotland, Home-Start UK
Tel: 01259 729 819
Email: dmilliken@home-start.org.uk
Home-Start recruits and trains volunteers to support parents with at least one child under the age of five. We are the leading family support charity in the UK. Our service is open to everyone and our home visiting work is unique throughout the country. The charity was set up in 1973 and in Scotland alone, there are 32 schemes stretching from Orkney to Stanraer, last year 1107 volunteers supported 2062 families and 4390 children.
The Scottish Executive makes Sure-Start funding available to Scottish Local Authorities to provide services for young children. In the last financial year Home-Start schemes in Scotland received Sure-Start funding to the value of £1.2 million.
To volunteer, donate or find out more about Home-Start phone free on 0800 068 63 68 or log on to http://www.home-start.org.uk
