Renfrewshire Council is constantly coming up with innovative ways
to tackle poverty. Its Families First programme has put £1million into the
pockets of local families who would have gone without otherwise. Families First
was launched in October 2013 as part of the Labour led council’s early years
strategy. It aims to give children a better start in life through a stronger
focus on early years intervention and accessible support for families. Lots of
families aren’t aware of benefits they are entitled to or support they can get
such as vouchers to pay for milk and the Warm Home Discount to help with energy
bills. It can also be difficult and intimidating to file forms. Families First
teams are on hand to help with that as well as income and debt support,
offering parenting advice and support on mental health, housing and eviction,
addiction issues, domestic abuse, childcare, health and access to free meals. Teams are already set
up at Woodlands Primary School Linwood where they can be contacted on 01505
328144 and Ferguslie with another three being set up later in the year at
Johnstone, Gallowhill and Foxbar thanks to investment from the council’s
Tackling Poverty Fund.