Latest news with #FlourishingFamilies
Daily Record
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Hamilton charity to benefit from STV Children's Appeal funding
Covey is one of 11 good causes across Scotland to receive support from the new Ignite fund A Hamilton-based charity running a successful project improving school attendance is being supported for a second year by the STV Children's Appeal. Covey – which stands for Community Volunteers Enabling You – is one of 11 charities across Scotland to be sharing in the appeal's newly launched £1 million Ignite fund over the next year, designed to support initiatives working with children and families and which tackle child poverty. The organisation's Flourishing Families project provides one-to-one and group support during key school transitions such as the move from primary to secondary, working to improve school engagement through early intervention and working with the whole family. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7. The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you. Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android It supported 27 young people from 21 families with great success over the last school year, during which the project first received funding from the STV charity. Covey chief executive Lee Johnstone said: 'Since partnering with STV Children's Appeal, our Flourishing Families project has made great strides in supporting young people and families across Lanarkshire with wellbeing, confidence and re-engagement in education. 'In 2024-2025, 92 per cent of young people reported improved school attendance, engagement or attainment, 100 per cent reported improved health and wellbeing, and 87 per cent of families reported stronger relationships at home; joining the Ignite Fund will help us grow our team and support even more families.' Charities being supported by the new fund will also benefit from the Ignite Academy, offering access to STV expertise such as marketing, communications and creative, as well as helping to set goals and growth opportunities and networking with the other supported charities. STV Children's Appeal head Natalie Wright said: 'We're excited to welcome Covey back for their second year of funding. 'We have always focused on ensuring the funding we give is well thought through and with a purpose, which is exactly what we are doing with the Ignite fund; our experience shows that a sustained approach to our partnerships gives real results which make an immediate and lasting impact to those who need it most.' The appeal has raised more than £37 million since launching in 2011, making more than 2400 project awards, and is supported by the Scottish Government which provides £1m of annual match funding. Covey recently earned the prestigious Investing in Volunteers award and celebrated their successes over the past year with a special celebration attended by charity service users and volunteers plus guests including supporters and funders.
Glasgow Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Three Glasgow charities to receive share of £1 million
The three charities have been named amongst the organisations to receive funding from STV Children's Appeal's newly launched Ignite Fund, which supports children, young people, and families across Scotland. This Ignite Fund offers multi-year financial and developmental support to charities working to break the cycle of child poverty in Scotland. The three Glasgow charities chosen to receive funding are Glasgow Kelvin College's Community and Youth Hub, One Community Scotland, and COVEY (Community Volunteers Enabling You). Glasgow Kelvin College's Community and Youth Hub offers after-hours learning and wellbeing activities for disadvantaged young people and groups. The hub is in its second year of partnership with the appeal. (Image: Supplied) Read book: Milngavie bookshop gifts Scottish classic to Dalai Lama for his 90th birthday Tracy Leavy, director of community engagement and curriculum at Glasgow Kelvin College, said: "STV Children's Appeal funding has made a huge difference to the young people and families we support. "We've seen individuals gain new confidence, skills, and even career paths that they never imagined possible. "Most importantly, they've reconnected with others and with life's opportunities. "We're incredibly grateful to everyone who donates and fundraises; your support is truly life-changing." One Community Scotland delivers workshops and creative arts sessions to steer vulnerable young people away from anti-social behaviour. Meanwhile, COVEY's Flourishing Families project provides one-to-one and group support for families and young people during key school transitions. Lee Johnstone, chief executive at COVEY, said: "Since partnering with STV Children's Appeal, our Flourishing Families project has made great strides in supporting young people and families across Lanarkshire with wellbeing, confidence, and re-engagement in education. "In the 2024/25 school year, we've supported 21 families, including 27 children and young people, with 92% of young people reporting improved school attendance, engagement, or attainment, 100% of young people reporting improved health and wellbeing, and 87% of families reporting stronger relationships at home. "Joining the Ignite Fund will help us grow our team and support even more families." Read more: Glasgow student housing co-operative secures first property following £300k loan These Glasgow and Lanarkshire-based charities are among 11 organisations from across Scotland selected to receive the funding. Natalie Wright, head of the STV Children's Appeal, said: "At STV Children's Appeal, we have always focused on ensuring the funding we give is well thought through and with a purpose, which is exactly what we are doing with the Ignite Fund. "Our experience shows that a sustained approach to our partnerships gives real results which make an immediate and lasting impact on those who need it most."
BBC News
14-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Leeds charity warns of 'children left behind' after covid
A charity supporting families in deprived areas of Leeds said a cohort of children has been "left behind" after the covid Families said some of the children it works with, who were born during the pandemic, have struggled with speech delays, literacy and social Kate Colbrook said: "We see the effects now from the pandemic five years ago. I worry for what we might see in another five years time, another ten years time."The Department for Education said it was "determined" to get tens of thousands of children school-ready by the age of five, with the Covid inquiry set to examine the impact of the lockdown on children. Ms Colbrook said she felt the pandemic exacerbated inequalities with a "huge and widening gap" remaining between the poorest and most affluent."I think we're facing a cohort now of left behind children," she said. Flourishing Families runs "storytellers" sessions with primary school children and parents who may have struggled to develop reading habits during Lead Bekah Atkins said there are "all sorts of reasons" why this could have happened, including parents having to work more and manage multiple children at home without schools."We see some of the impact of that in children today. When they pick up a book, [some of them] don't know what to do with it," she said. Stephanie believes her daughter, Abigail, who was one when the first lockdown was announced, faced a big developmental impact due to the had to home-school her older child while caring for Abigail as a baby, she said."Abigail became delayed for a lot of reasons, but I'd personally say covid was the bigger factor," Stephanie added."It's about learning behaviour, but she didn't have any of that." In Bramley, Leeds, Flourishing Families runs a "play pals" session at a primary school to help children socialise and develop skills they need for joining reception the pandemic, similar playgroups had to close at times under lockdown rules, with families forced to stay at who volunteers at the sessions as well as bringing her own children, said: "I know lockdown had an impact on my children. "Once the restrictions were eased, they were less likely to go and make friends in the park. They were very shy around unfamiliar people in unfamiliar settings."With services like this available, they can make up for lost time on that." A spokesperson for the Department for Education said the government's "plan for change" will focus on personal, social and physical development as well as academic plans to "break down barriers to opportunity and give every child, regardless of background, the best start in life."Specifically, they said this will include making high quality childcare more accessible and affordable for families. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
