Charity issues warning over vulnerable families

Years of austerity have had a harrowing impact on vulnerable families in Renfrewshire with some now facing destitution, a local charity has warned.

Barnardo’s Scotland, which supports young parents through its Threads programme in Paisley, says some people are struggling to obtain adequate food, secure housing and basic necessities.

The dire reality for many was revealed in a report published by Barnardo’s Scotland in partnership with NSPCC Scotland.

Their nationwide research has shown that the roll out of Universal Credit, together with funding cuts to support services, has had a devastating impact on the most vulnerable.

The report, Challenges f rom the Frontline – Revisited, compares findings from research carried out with family support services in Scotland in 2013 and 2019.

It shows that severe hardship has affected parents’ mental health and family relationships and states those now being referred to support agencies have more complex difficulties and greater needs.

NSPCC Scotland and Barnardo’s – which has fundraising stores in Paisley, Linwood and Barrhead – are now calling on the Scottish Government to urgently make intensive family support available to all who need it.

They have called for the recommendations made in the Independent Care Review’s Promise report to be implemented to ensure that all families have enough money to live with dignity.

Martin Crewe, director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “Supporting vulnerable families mitigates social inequality and improves children’s life opportunities.

“The coronavirus crisis provides a huge opportunity to make meaningful, sustainable, transformative change.

“We need to harness the desire to do things differently, to reach out to families with a strengthened social safety net to prevent longer term difficulties developing in young people’s lives.

“The Independent Care Review’s Promise has given us a blueprint for family support and we must deliver on this without delay.”