News
First Minister recognises value of support for children
27/01/2010
First Minister Alex Salmond has recognised the vital role that Scotland's children’s charities play in supporting our vulnerable young people.
The First Minister was speaking at a reception at Edinburgh Castle on 27 January to recognise the important contribution that five major children’s charities make to the lives of young people throughout Scotland.
CHILDREN 1ST, Aberlour, Action for Children, Barnardo's Scotland and Quarriers support and campaign on behalf of children who face difficulties, disadvantage and deprivation.
The event, which was also attended by the Children’s Commissioner Tam Baillie, was entitled ‘Festival for the future - investing in Scotland’s children and young people’ and was a chance to highlight how young people show strength in adversity with help from the charities.
CHILDREN 1ST was represented by a group of mums from our Edinburgh Family Support service who described their involvement with CHILDREN 1ST and the help and support they had received.
Speaking on the night, First Minister Alex Salmond said: "I would like to personally acknowledge the tremendous work done by Aberlour, Action for Children, Barnardo’s Scotland, CHILDREN 1ST and Quarriers. The dedication, skills and enthusiasm of these five excellent organisations makes a real difference to the lives of the young people they support."
"Unfortunately some children in Scotland continue to face hardship and abuse, but the Scottish Government is determined to do all that it can to give our young people the best start in life. Our Getting it Right for Every Child programme aims to provide support to children who need extra care, tackle poverty, create an early years framework and give young people more choices to help them achieve their full potential."
"I would like to pay tribute to the resilience and achievements of all of the young people who are attending this evening’s event and the voluntary and charitable sector as a whole, for the vital part it plays in creating a better Scotland."
Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People said: "I have first-hand experience of the valuable work these five charities undertake with children, young people and families across Scotland. The services they provide are helping to improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of our society. These charities also have a track record of innovation and I look forward to their working closely with councils and health boards, to develop more services for children, young people and families in the future."
Last updated: 10/02/2010
