GLENROTHES HOME-START CELEBRATES 21st BIRTHDAY IN PARLIAMENT

Published date : 16 May 2019

Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, this week marked the 21st Birthday of the town’s Home-Start charity in the Scottish Parliament.

The local MSP held a members’ debate in the parliament chamber and sponsored a parliamentary reception on behalf of the charity.

In the past year alone, Home-Start in Glenrothes have supported between 60 and 70 families in the local area.

Jenny Gilruth MSP, who ran the Glenrothes 10k in aid of the charity in 2016, was keen to praise the work of local volunteers who are based at Home-Start UK in Macedonia, commenting:

“Home-Start works across my constituency to support families who are struggling because of social isolation, poverty or poor mental health. None of us can predict what life will throw our way – whether it be illness, disability or bereavement – and Home-Start works to take the pressure of such factors off families who are in need.

The work they do in Glenrothes and beyond is vitally important to families in my constituency. I would like to pay tribute to Lindsey Brown and her team of amazing staff and volunteers – and I wish Glenrothes Home-Start continued success for the next 21 years and beyond.”

Lindsey Brown, project coordinator at Home-Start Glenrothes said:

“I’m a great believer that your postcode cannot dictate what your future holds. We work in Glenrothes to give people opportunities. We have two mums who have just completed their college qualifications through a partnership with Fife College and we have four more with interviews next week.

I know that this might sound like rose-tinted spectacles—but it really is our job to help them be the best they can be.”

The Parliamentary reception heard from families who’ve been supported by Home-Start UK over the years, volunteers and the Scottish Government Minister for Mental Health, Clare Haughey MSP. In March this year, the First Minister announced £50million of funding to support perinatal mental health services – often a time that families struggle to cope with 1 in 5 women affected.

Home-Start’s Scotland Director, Shelagh Young, was keen to praise the efforts of her staff whilst recognising the very real challenges still faced by families:

“Home-Start aims to be there when families need us most. Unfortunately, when funding is tight we struggle to raise our profile and reach enough families in need.

Too many parents delay seeking help because they worry about what others will think. When parliamentarians speak up in support of our work they are not only helping to break down those barriers but also helping us to recruit supporters, including volunteers, to keep this vital work going.”

To find out about ways to get involved through volunteering opportunities at Home-Start Glenrothes, please email: admin@homestartglenrothes.co.uk , or alternatively visit the link: https://www.home-start.org.uk/Pages/FAQs/Category/ways-to-volunteer

ENDS

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE, COMMUNITY, CHARITIES, LOCAL GROUPS, HOUSING