A Blantyre Group has been recognised at the Scottish Parent Awards which were held in The Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 17th May 2017.
At the recent Inaugural Scottish Parent Award Ceremony (hosted by Parent Network Scotland and Ivan McKee MPS for Provan) in the Scottish Parliament there was clear evidence that parents can do so much in their own community.
Karen Tirevoll from Glasgow who was the overall winner due to her work in supporting other parents who have children with additional support needs. Karen had no support so set about designing a Facebook page aswell as starting her own support group. The page now has over 300 parents signed up. Karen continues to develop her work with the support of Parent Network Scotland. Karen said “It feel totally surprised and overwhelmed being an award winner, I am so grateful for all the support I have received from PNS. I feel this award is a reflection, tribute and celebration of my wish to support others in the community, being recognised, which is a humbling experience. Thank you so VERY much”
Winning the Parent Group Award is PROFF (Promoting Roles of Father) from South Lanarkshire. The group are made up of local dads who support each other and also take part in many events throughout the area. The support and encouragement they receive has helped them become more involved in their children’s learning. Though fundraising efforts the group have helped many families take part in activities they otherwise would not have afforded to do. It was a great honour to recognise their hard work.
Contact details for PROFF are profatherfigures@hotmail.com
All winners received their trophy’s form singer songwriter and actress Lorraine McIntosh. Lorraine says she was overwhelmed with the stories and how people had developed on their journey.
There were so many winners with real life stories that choosing winners was a tough task. Young mum Lindsey Cornet whose 2 young sons have both been diagnosed with cancer was nominated because of her incredibly brave journey, passion and dedication to her family but also to others by setting up a Facebook page and writing a blog about their story and the struggles. This is to help other parents dealing with such a tragic issue.
Parent Network Scotland is a charity that supports and offers training to local parents in their own community. A national organisation who is supporting parenting in 10 Local Authorities in Scotland came from humble beginnings of parent volunteers supporting others.
Mary Docherty who is the Chairperson of the organisation says “the values that drive Parent Network Scotland are building meaningful and genuine relationships and always believing in the potential for change ” with Parent Network Scotland offering this support and training locally we see they benefits not only to the family but also the wider community.
Ivan McKee who sponsored the awards also says” I understand the importance pf organisations like Parent Network Scotland having had my own children. It’s a very challenging job as a parent so I’m delighted to support Parent network Scotland”
Over the past 3 years with funding from the Scottish Government, Big Lottery and Cattanach PNS have been supported parents in receiving qualifications they never thought possible before. Additional funding from Robertson Trust, Cattanach and Dulverton has also allowed us to support younger parents and we have now developed a Young Parent Leadership Programme. The Henry Duncan foundation has supported us in our work with parents of children with additional support needs. This piece of work has gone from strength the strength.
Drama Performers with Lorraine McIntosh and Mark McDonald Minister for Early Years and Childcare
CEO Jackie Tolland says “The future looks bright for Parent Network Scotland who have engaged in 10 local authorities in Scotland and with over 70 volunteer parent educators in local communities we intend to spread the word and look forward to our next phase where we will be recruiting even more parent educators”
www.parentnetworkscotland.org.uk
PNS office: 0141 353 5604
Email:mail@parentnetworkscotland.org.uk
