St Machar Parent Support project provide a range of services to the local community.
One to One Family Support
We also offer one to one support for a variety of issues, we will help you in any way we can and if we can’t help we will find someone who will.
Individual Pupil Support
The Individual Pupil Support scheme is a multi agency initiative, St Machar Parent Support Project works in conjunction with St Machar Academy and Careers Scotland, giving disaffected young people More Choices More Chances.
The guidance staff at St Machar Academy identify the young people they feel will have difficulty either attending exams or moving on from school. We home visit these young people and ensure they are informed about their exam times and places and we also offer careers meetings in our project, we work with the young people on a one to one basis offering support in any way we can. We support them to attend careers appointments, fill out college forms, visit training centres and applying for jobs. Often these young people slip through the system and we aim to support and encourage them to achieve their potential. We continue to offer guidance to these young people after they have left school as often they find themselves facing difficulties getting into employment or training.
Parenting Programme
This programme aims to support families who are experiencing difficulties regarding their child’s behaviour or health. The project supports families with the challenge of parenting and bringing up children via a holistic approach. Project staff will offer a “toolkit” for parents and carers who are concerned with any parenting issues. Support and advice can be given on a one-to-one basis or in small groups in a local venue i.e. school, local or community project. A home visit can be arranged if necessary and everything discussed with be treated as confidential.
Summer Play Scheme
The Summer Programme runs for four weeks during the summer holidays usually starting around about the 4th of July (times may vary). It is open to all those families that the project has supported and worked with throughout the year. The aim is for children and parents to interact together through play activities with the support of volunteers and project staff to lend a hand. Parents get the opportunity to visit different venues with transport provided. We support single parents with multiple siblings to come along and provide additional help by using volunteers to help those families have a positive and happy experience. Money is raised for these playschemes by applying for funding from a number of different sources.
Links With Other Agencies
Since our project started over 21 years ago we have always maintained a multi-agency approach and have developed strong links with a lot of key agencies. These agencies are welcome to use our facilities to meet with parents and children referred by local projects in the St Machar catchment area of Aberdeen. A few of these agencies have regular times available at the project to meet with their clients:
- Pathways Counsellor (Ilona Clail). Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
- Drugs Action (Tillydrone area)
- Social Work Department
- Welfare Rights
- Alcohol Advice Service
- Primary Mental Health Team
- Careers Scotland
- Guidance Teachers, St Machar Academy
Strong links with over 50 agencies.
