Cash windfall will support families in Renfrewshire

STV Children’s Appeal hands £2,000 to Barnardo’s

A Paisley charity group that helps Syrian families settle in to their neighbourhood has been handed £2,000 from the STV Children’s Appeal.

Barnardo’s Scotland Threads in Renfrewshire project offers a range of support to young people and families across Renfrewshire, including pre and post natal support, parenting support and access to secure and sustainable accommodation.

It also delivers specialist supports those living in the shadow of domestic abuse or battling substance misuse.

The Barnardo’s Family Link service, which part of Threads, was developed in partnership with Renfrewshire Council to train local people as volunteers to help Syrian families integrate with their communities.

Volunteers have been supporting the families with a range of activities including after- school clubs for children, conversational English groups for adults and individual peer support.

Since July last year they have provided more than 800 hours of direct volunteering support to families.

Sam King, children’s services manager for Barnardo’s Scotland Threads, told the Paisley Daily Express: “This grant is fantastic news for the Barnardo’s Family Links service and the parents and children it supports.

“The grant will enable the volunteers to buy a number of much-needed resources to enable the various group programmes to continue to deliver.

“In addition, the grant will support families in undertaking activities in the local community to support with integration.”

Since launching in 2011, the STV Children’s Appeal has raised over £ 13.7 million, with 722 big and small grants distributed to projects across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, providing much-needed support to over 62,000 children.

The money raised is distributed to provide practical help like food and warm clothes; create opportunities for training and employability; and enable social and emotional support for those who need it most.

Rob Woodward, STV chief executive officer and trustee of the STV Children’s Appeal, told the Paisley Daily Express: “All proceeds remain in Scotland, which means we can support vital projects such as Barnardo’s Scotland Threads in our efforts to improve the lives of children across the community.

“A special thanks to everyone for their ongoing support and acts of generosity.”

 If you’re an individual or group that would like to help raise funds with the STV Children’s Appeal, please email Natalie Wright at natalie. wright@stv.tv