Fresh hope for Families First
Councillor claims cash is on the way to lifeline group
Vulnerable families in Renfrewshire have new hope as the fight continues to save a vital service.
Families First, a council-funded network that supports hard-up families, was earmarked for closure at the end of last year.
An outcry from the public has sparked a campaign to save the groups in Gallowhill, Foxbar and Johnstone.
Bids to protect the crucial service may now be paying off, with potential funding being considered by Renfrewshire Council.
Labour councillor for Renfrew South and Gallowhill, Eddie Grady, says that the potential cash injection was discussed at the most recent meeting of the Gallowhill Tenants and Residents Association.
He said: “I’m delighted for all the parents and children who rely on this vital service.
“However, I would also like to seek assurances that this potential funding would be additional and, should it be secured, no other current service would be negatively impacted within the planned budget.”
The Families First scheme offers practical help to referred families on issues like parenting skills, wellbeing, energy bills and budget advice.
There are financial and welfare advisers on hand to make sure people know what help they’re entitled to, while cookery classes, baby massage and summer children’s projects have helped many parents.
Councillor Kevin Montgomery, who represents the Foxbar area, added: “I’ve heard first hand from families who have used Families First in the Foxbar area about the huge impact the project has made on their life.
“The project does hugely important work for people experiencing crisis and is an important part of the Foxbar community.”
Gallowhill mum- of- two Stephanie McQuaide set up an online petition.
When the closures were first announced, Stephanie told the Express that Families First changed her life.
“I’ve been using it for just over a year and my confidence has grown so much,” she said.
“I moved to Paisley four-anda-half years ago and I never used to go out. It’s only since going to Families First that I’ve got more confidence and go out and meet folk.
“It ’ s helped me access counselling, and me and my children go to Bookbug and the Families First drop-in session on a Friday afternoon.
“It’s helped my kids as well because we didn’t know anyone here. They’re so much more confident now.”
She added: “Its closure is going to have a really dramatic effect on the community because a lot of folk depend on it.
“It creates happy families and happy homes, and if we lose the service that will go.”
However, Councillor Jim Paterson, depute leader and education convener of Renfrewshire Council, would make no promises on the future of Families First.
He said: “I am very familiar with the Families First service and the vital work it undertakes in commu n i t i e s a c ro s s Renfrewshire.
“Our position has been consistent on this issue since it became clear that the temporary funding the previous Labour administration had put in place would run out at the end of the financial year.
“Any decision on the extension of the funding for Families First will be considered as part of the council’s budget process, which culminates on March 1.
“I invite all opposition councillors to engage with the budget process instead of playing politics with these important services.”