Category

• Promising Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Prevention
• Reduction

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Poverty driver

• Provide benefit in-kind (experience)
• Increase income from benefits

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Keywords

• Families
• Disability
• Carers
• Relational risk
• Tailored Support

Aim

The project has multiple aims:
• Improve financial stability.
• Enhance emotional and mental well-being.
• Foster community inclusion.
• Promote long-term opportunities.

Summary

The "Paths Away from Poverty" project is a targeted initiative led by South Lanarkshire Council in collaboration with partners, including NHS Lanarkshire and third-sector organisation Community Volunteers Enabling You (COVEY), a South Lanarkshire based organisation which offers one-to-one group befriending and mentoring. Funded by the Child Poverty Accelerator Fund, the project aims to support families with disabled children by improving financial stability, enhancing emotional well-being, fostering community inclusion, and promoting long-term employability. Through a coordinated approach, it connects families to tailored benefits, advice, and community resources while addressing systemic challenges. Operational since early 2023, the project emphasises co-design, lived experiences, and innovative practices to create sustainable impacts on child poverty and family support structures.

What difference does it make?

The project has made a meaningful difference in several key areas, most notably in financial stability, parental confidence and well-being, community inclusion, child well-being, and systemic insights.
These changes reflect the project's focus on providing tailored, holistic support to families with children experiencing disabilities, contributing to both immediate relief and longer-term opportunities.

Key take-aways

• Collaborative partnerships are essential.
• Trust building takes time.
• Focus on the whole family.
• Adaptability is key.
• Start small but plan for growth.

 

Organisations

South Lanarkshire Council, NHS Lanarkshire, COVEY, and Money Matters Advice Service.

Location

South Lanarkshire

The "Paths Away from Poverty" project started engaging with families in February 2023. The initial planning and creation of a steering group began earlier, around November 2022, after securing funding in late October 2022.

Contact