Scotland’s Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing Joe FitzPatrick, visited Forth Valley College’s Alloa Campus today (Friday 4 October) to find out more about Clackmannanshire Council’s award winning Young Parents Project.
The project, which has been running since 2011, helps parents or parents-to-be aged 16 to 24, think about their future and move on with their life through education or employment. Figures from April 2015 – December 2018, have shown that from the 100 young parents that were supported through the initiative, 27 entered into full-time further education – with at least one progressing to university, 50 gained a recognised qualification and 14 found a job.
The Minister was met at the Alloa Campus by Clackmannanshire Council Education Spokesperson Cllr Graham Lindsay and FVC’s Vice Principal for Learning and Student Experience Kenny MacInnes.
He was then invited to visit 12 participants from the Young Parents Project who are currently taking part in a Paediatric First Aid Course, led by Richy Todd FVC’s Commercial Trainer Business Development.
Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “As a government we are committed to continuing to support young parents through the delivery of the Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People Strategy.
“This is why I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak to individuals involved in the Young Parents Project about their experiences and the difference it has made to them. It’s great to see that the project is successfully managing to support the young parents in gaining further education or employment.”
Cllr Graham Lindsay, Spokesperson for Education said: “I am delighted that Joe FitzPatrick was able to come to Clackmannanshire and see the highly valued work of the Young Parents Project in action. The YPP is working with some of our most vulnerable young people to help them move forward from a very challenging time to fulfil their potential and help themselves and their children live happy and successful lives.”
FVC’s Vice Principal for Learning and Student Experience Kenny MacInnes, who also has responsibility for the Alloa Campus, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister to our Alloa Campus and introduce him to the enthusiastic members of the Young Parents Project. We know just how important initiatives like this are to help improve the lives of young people in the Alloa area and our Paediatric First Aid course is just one example of the courses we are offering them. The success of the project continues year on year and we look forward to working with Clackmannanshire Council to helping it grow in the future.”
The winner of a CoSLA award in 2017, Clackmannanshire Young Parents Project improves the life chances of the parents and their children, by helping ensure that their immediate needs are addressed and that appropriate services are accessed to maintain stability at a very vulnerable time in their lives. They offer friendly and practical support to help young parents plan towards the future they want, at a pace the individual is comfortable with and when the time is right for them.
The project also helps with: One to one guidance and support; Assistance with further learning and employment; Voluntary placements or training courses; Help with tax credits, benefits and managing money: and Help with Childcare
