ASHLEY’S STORY

LIKE every parent in Scotland, Ashley McGeachie is determined to do what she can to give her children the best start in life.

In February, Ashley told the Record that while she knows some families need more of a helping hand, she believes more must be done to ensure no children are left behind.

Ashley and partner Christopher O’Neill, 31, from Govan, Glasgow, have two young children – Carter and Harlow.

Ashley worked as a nanny and believes that listening to kids and taking care of their needs is the secret to offering them the best start in life.

But she admits that she was nervous about arriving at story-telling and fun time classes at first.

She said: “The health visitor did tell me about these classes. And although I felt confident with children, I wasn’t that confident about coming to classes. So I can understand why some people are nervous.

“But you get to speak to people and everyone is in the same boat.

“I think it really helps if there are free classes so you feel like you are able to do a good job and hear from other people.”

Ashley agrees that poverty can present a huge barrier for parents who want to access classes.

She said: “There are people who can’t afford classes so it’s important that there are free ones.

“There are mums who can’t read very well and I think there are things that can be done for them.

“Every parent wants their child to do well and get on but some need a little more help. That help has to be there for everyone. We can’t afford to leave

children behind.”