Funding boost for family centre

A support network for children and grandparents has been given a £16,235 funding boost.

The grant from the People’s Postcode Lottery will enable the Cottage Family Centre in Kirkcaldy to run its new Bringing Up Bairns project, which aims to help grandparents or extended family members who are caring for vulnerable children.

The project will also encourage retired professionals or older people who have been in a parenting role to bring their skills and experience to those who do not have family support.

It is hoped the approach will increase the life chances of families overall.

Pauline Buchan, Cottage Centre manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received this funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery and would like to thank all of their players, for it is their contribution that has allowed us to facilitate this new project in support of our children and families which we know will make such a difference to their lives.”

The Cottage Family Centre is one of Fife’s leading children’s charities. It launched its Bringing Up Bairns Project in September, alongside a new mental health service for teenagers and their families, following a £100,000 community fundraising drive.

The centre will employ its own mental health workforce in an effort to ease waiting times of up to nine months for NHS services.