Children First

Best of luck to our trustee, Farah, who is training to take on the Supernova Kelpies fundraising challenge next year. We're so grateful to her for raising vital funds to support children and families across Scotland!

Farah said: "Children First is, in my opinion, one of the organisations doing the most important work in this country right now. They make sure children's voices are heard. They make sure children's rights are fought for. And when the worst happens to a child, they don't give up on them. Every child deserves to feel safe, loved and well. Children First works every single day to make that a reality. The least I can do is run 5K."

You can support Farah’s fundraising efforts here:
https://ow.ly/jBLN50ZgOvv

Feeling inspired? Sign up to take on the challenge yourself: https://ow.ly/rRtC50ZgOvt

Today we welcomed First Minister John Swinney and Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Social Justice Shirley-Anne Sommerville to our Pollok office, where they met families and announced some fantastic news.

Thanks to £2 million in Scottish Government funding, thousands more families will be able to access practical, emotional and financial support through our support line.

Families like Jasmine’s tell us that the support we offer can make all the difference. She said:

“The help from Children First has been outstanding. The emotional and financial help they’ve given has had a positive impact on us – I can get fresh fruit and vegetables for the baby and I feel less isolated because I’ve met other young mums. Without the support from Children First, I don’t think our lives would be anywhere near as good.”

If you need us, we’re here for you. Call our support line 08000 28 22 33 or start a webchat at www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline.

Read more: https://www.childrenfirst.org.uk/news/first-minister-announces-2-million-investment-in-children-first-support-line

“I believe it is very important for children to have a safe and nurturing upbringing to be able to thrive in their adult life. I really enjoyed fundraising and running for Children First!”

Thank you Kate for being part of the team! Fancy taking on your own challenge?

Sign up here: https://www.childrenfirst.org.uk/get-involved/events/

Despite progressive laws and a global reputation for children’s rights, Scotland is failing to protect childhood and the consequences for babies, children and young people are increasingly severe.

Whilst we have made some progress, the gap between what Scotland says and what Scotland does is wider than ever.

Children are more at risk. Childhood is under threat. Together we can change that.

Our strategic priorities set out how Children First will continue working to protect children, support families and champion children’s rights across Scotland.

Read more: https://ow.ly/szMc50Zriwa

Every child deserves to feel safe, supported and able to thrive in sport.

Thanks to funding from Sportscotland's Summer of Sport programme, we're pleased to be working with Kyniska Advocacy to deliver a series of free trauma informed practice training webinars for Scotland's sporting workforce.

Whether you're a coach, volunteer, parent or other adult working in a sport or physical activity setting, these practical online sessions will help you better understand trauma and create safer, more inclusive sporting environments for children and young people.

Find out more and book your free place: https://ow.ly/KEz850ZnNaP

Today, on what would have been Caoimhe's 17th birthday, we remember a much-loved young person whose creativity and vibrant spirit touched so many lives.

To Caoimhe's family and everyone who loved her, we are thinking of you today.

To celebrate Caoimhe's life, her family has created a fundraising page in her memory supporting Children First in recognition of the care and compassion they received following her death. They hope that, through Caoimhe's legacy, other children, young people and families can receive support during life's most difficult moments.

If you'd like to honour Caoimhe's memory, please consider making a donation or sharing the page. Every contribution will help Children First be there for families when they need us most.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/in-memory-of-caoimhe

Thank you for remembering Caoimhe and helping to continue her legacy of kindness.

This week marks the second anniversary of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act, a historic step forward for children’s rights in Scotland.

We’re proud to play a leading role, alongside partners across the sector, in championing children’s rights and helping drive change. This includes shaping the development of Scotland’s Bairns Hoose through the voices and experiences of children affected by abuse and trauma.

On this significant anniversary, young people in Ayrshire have launched their youth-led research to shape the development of Bairns Hoose in Ayrshire.

A huge congratulations and thank you to Lily, Mia, Brooke and Haley for all their incredible work to design, carry out and produce the research and to organise the launch event. As Lily says "We are the ones with the experience and we will be the ones remembering."

Their work is a powerful example of children and young people exercising Article 12 of the UNCRC their right to be heard. To ensure this right is upheld, decision-makers now need to listen to the research and take these views seriously.

Read more here: https://ow.ly/tIUE50ZoRhZ

We welcome the UK Government's intent to further protect young people online and look forward to understanding more about how measures such as social media curfews will be implemented.

Rather than putting the responsibility on children to keep themselves safe, tech companies must be held accountable for exposing us all to addictive and harmful content. We also need a wider public health approach to reset our digital culture and keep children safe on a par with smoking, seatbelts and smacking.

Read our full response here: https://ow.ly/Rz6250ZoncQ

Children First is delighted to be part of the Co-op Local Community Fund.

Every penny raised will help to give children a safer, brighter future.

Click here to find our more about our project and choose to support us: https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/96761

There is still time to apply to join Children First as our Community and Events Fundraiser.

In this permanent, full-time role, you'll play a key role in growing the support that makes our work with children and families across Scotland possible. If you're passionate about building relationships, engaging communities and creating fundraising opportunities that make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more and apply here: https://children1st.jobs.personio.com/job/2698022

Closing date: Monday 27 July
Interview date: Thursday 6 August