The Case for Funding

The Juniors Team, part of Families Like Us (SCIO), a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation established in October 2012 and operating in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. The team runs the Juniors Play Café, a community hub designed to support families, particularly those facing poverty, by providing a safe and welcoming space for children and parents. Their work focuses on tackling childhood poverty through practical assistance such as hot meals, in-house counseling, a community lardar, and a fun environment for families to spend time together. The team collaborates with 27 local organisations, including social services, foodbanks, third sector organisations, schools, and nurseries, to reach families most in need, ensuring every child has a childhood, 360 free meals per week, and support to over 22k families in the area. Their mission emphasises reducing isolation, providing help and advice.

What we would do with the money raised

A family financial advisor integrated into the Juniors framework could significantly enhance their efforts to help families overcome barriers to poverty. Such an advisor would provide tailored financial guidance to address specific challenges like food poverty and money management. By assessing a family’s income, expenses, and financial obligations, the advisor could identify barriers to work or further education—such as lack of affordable childcare, transportation costs, or debt—and develop strategies to overcome them. For instance, they could assist families in accessing benefits, grants, or subsidies they’re entitled to, maximising household income. Additionally, the advisor could offer workshops on budgeting, saving, and debt management, empowering families with the skills to achieve financial stability. This support would complement Juniors’ existing services by addressing the root financial causes of poverty, enabling parents to pursue employment or education opportunities while ensuring immediate needs like food security are met, thus breaking the cycle of poverty for future generations.