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Support for children and families organisations confirmed for 2015-16.

Children and families across Scotland are set to benefit from funding awards totalling almost £15 million, announced by the Acting Children’s Minister yesterday.

The funding has been awarded to 132 voluntary organisations which aim to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for children and young people across Scotland and their families and communities that support them.

Confirming the funding allocations for 2015-16, Acting Minister for Children and Young People Fiona McLeod said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to creating a fairer Scotland and reducing inequalities, and supporting families is key to achieving that aim. I’m pleased we can invest further funding in these organisations to continue their fantastic work supporting children and families across Scotland.

“From vital childcare and youth work projects, to counselling and learning support, the work of these organisations is wide ranging, helping ensure our children get the best start in life. I’ve visited the Yard Adventure Centre in Edinburgh and have seen first hand the excellent work they do to support families.”

The funding is allocated through both the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund (TSEIF) and Strategic Funding Partnerships which began in 2013.

In the first year of the TSEIF alone, more than 3,500 families facing challenges were supported through project work.

The Yard Adventure Centre in Edinburgh is one organisation which has received funding through the TSEIF. It provides supported play and recreational activities for children with multiple and complex additional support needs. Since the TSEIF grant began, there has been an increase in the number of new families using the centre and the funding has enabled them to increase their opening hours at the weekend.

Celine Sinclair, Chief Executive of Scotland Yard Adventure Centre said:

“We are delighted to receive funding from the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund for a further year. The funds will support our weekend and holiday family sessions which provide both emotional and practical support to families with children with additional support needs. The sessions run every weekend and throughout the school holidays and give children and young people a safe and dynamic play space that meets their needs.

“Our parents often refer to our family sessions as a real lifeline, and we are very grateful for this support.”

The Daisy Chain Early Years Project run by Crossreach in Govanhill works with children from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop core play and parenting services, linking families together and breaking down barriers associated with race, language and isolation.

Viv Dickenson, Director of Children and Family Services at Crossreach said yesterday:

“We are delighted to hear the news of continued TSEIF funding for our Daisy Chain Project. The project offers a range of supports to hundreds of families with young children in the Govanhill Community including play, parenting, literacy and healthy living. The staff and volunteers work alongside other faith and community groups to alleviate the impacts of poverty in the area and to help families from a diverse range of backgrounds to connect with each other and feel less isolated.

“The funding will also allow us to build on the positive relationships established with Roma families in the area and to better understand their particular challenges so that we can help them work together on solutions. Recently one Mum told us ‘Daisy Chain inspires me and shows me new ways of spending time with my child’, and we know that today’s announcement will be warmly welcomed by all of our families.”

Earlier in 2014 the Scottish Government established a short-term working group to advise it on how the current funding arrangements supporting the Third Sector could be refined in the future.