Scottish Friendly colleagues volunteer at Action for Children's ‘Short Breaks service’
A team of 9 volunteers from Scottish Friendly recently donated their time to volunteer for a day at Action for Children’s Short Breaks service in Kilbarchan.
The Short Breaks service, also known as “Loom Walk”, provides young people between the ages of 5 and 18 with a break-away, including those with complex health issues or learning difficulties. The service is a safe and welcoming environment, acting as a support system for children to help them reach their full potential through communication, socialising and the development of life skills, enabling their families and carers to receive a well-deserved break from the demands of their day-to-day role.
The Scottish Friendly team helped to tidy the service’s outdoor areas, including applying a fresh layer of paint to the fence and helping to paint and decorate the garden hut. This support is crucial to assisting Action for Children in their efforts to empowering young people with skills, knowledge and confidence to bring lasting improvements to their lives.
Jackie Flood, Service Manager, commented:
“The biggest thank you from myself and our team on behalf of our young people. The garden space looks lovely and fresh again. The gardener came on Friday and cut the grass, so it looks even better than when you all left. I am so proud of our little project, and it was a delight to share what we do here with Scottish Friendly.”
Karen Ness, Financial Controller at Scottish Friendly, commented:
“Colleagues from the Finance and Risk teams had a fantastic experience volunteering at the Action for Children Short Break service in Kilbarchan. Fantastic teamwork was demonstrated whilst re-painting the playhouse and fence, as well as doing a general garden tidy-up.
“We were keen to volunteer to provide tangible support to the charity, whilst getting a chance to learn first-hand what brilliant and crucial support they provide to the local community. Working together, building relationships, and getting exercise out of the office were an additional benefit.”
Scottish Friendly’s ongoing support:
Since 2023, Scottish Friendly have continued to support Action for Children in their delivery of the ‘Scottish Friendly Wellbeing Programme.’ The funding they provide enables two part-time Wellbeing Practitioners to deliver mental health and wellbeing sessions to high school pupils in some of the most deprived areas of Glasgow.
The first year of the programme saw all three elements, Blues, Bouncing Back and Direct Support, delivered successfully with feedback from both teachers and pupils reflecting a positive impact from the sessions. Scottish Friendly’s CEO, Stephen McGee, also visited St Margaret Mary’s School in Castlemilk where he met some of the pupils and attended one of the Blues sessions.
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Contact for more information:
Kevin Brown, PR & Communications, Scottish Friendly
07512194336
Notes to editor:
About Scottish Friendly
Scottish Friendly is a leading UK mutual life and investments organisation. It provides investors and their families with a wide range of investment and protection solutions and provides life and investment products and services to other financial organisations.
Scottish Friendly has roots stretching back to 1862. Established as the City of Glasgow Friendly Society, its name changed in October 1992 when it took over Scottish Friendly Assurance.
The Group has flourished through a three-part growth strategy of organic growth, mergers and acquisitions, and business process outsourcing.
Scottish Friendly, Galbraith House, 16 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4HJ
Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Scottish Friendly Asset Managers Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.