Introduction
Welcome to the first edition of the new includem newsletter.
Throughout the year we will be bringing you the latest news, updates and progress on our mission to provide the support children, young people and families need to make positive changes in their lives and to inspire a more hopeful future for them and their communities.
Below, you will find our latest highlights that may be of interest to you. As always, if you would like to find out more or how we could work together, you can contact our Business Development Manager, David Ferrier at David.ferrier@includem.co.uk.
We hope you enjoy this first newsletter and I hope to see you soon.
Aye,
Martin.
Martin Dorchester
Chief Executive Officer
Includem
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includem builds stronger communities in West Dunbartonshire
Over the past three years includem’s Adapt for Cashback project helped 162 children and young people turn their lives around.
Includem worked with West Dunbartonshire Council and Police Scotland providing help and support to divert children and young people away from the justice system.
Through tailored individual support and group work, the includem team offered alternatives and encouraged more positive choices for 10-15 year olds who were at risk of offending.
The project was funded through an £807,000 grant from the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme which takes funds seized from the proceeds of crime under the proceeds of crime laws and reinvests into projects to support children and young people.
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includem investment saves Council £1.4 million
The Audit Commission has found that Stirling Council saved more than £1.4 million over a two year period through working in partnership with includem in a report published in 2019.
The Council appointed includem to work on a project using early intervention and prevention techniques to improve the lives and reduce the number of care-experienced children and young people in residential and external foster care.
‘Although this report dates from 2019 its findings have never been more relevant as budgets continue to be squeezed,’ said includem’s chief executive, Martin Dorchester.
‘In the current economic environment, we are able to show the benefits of includem’s support to our partners and the real time savings they will make.’
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includem backs plans for universal access to hobbies for young people
Includem is backing plans for a Finnish style Hobby Guarantee scheme.
Children in Scotland’s 2021-26 Manifesto is calling for a Hobby Premium (also called 'the Hobby Guarantee' or 'the Finnish Model') to be introduced in Scotland.
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Helping young people and families build better lives
Includem’s chair Iain Forbes OBE explains why engaging with youth support charity results in better outcomes for young people and families and saves local authorities money.
Watch video
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Collaborative approach improves outcomes for at risk Glasgow teens
Working as part of the NHS Glasgow City Youth Health Service, includem has helped divert 71% of their client group away from engaging in anti-social behaviours or involvement with alcohol and drugs.
Through the Glasgow City Youth Health Service, includem’s delivery of the Multiple Risk programme works in partnership with nurses, doctors and counsellors to help support young people achieve positive outcomes in their lives.
Over the last nine months 166 young people have been supported by the programme with the vast majority achieving positive results.
The programme is delivered in nine venue locations across Glasgow; with includem offering outreach support to help young people attend.
In these venues young people aged 12-19 are helped to identify issues and underlying causes that are contributing to their risky and often unsafe behaviours.
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includem plays central role in the development of Bairns’ Hoose standards
Includem successfully worked with the Care Directorate and Health Improvement Scotland to help develop a new Bairns’ Hoose approach to supporting young people who have been victims of, or witnesses to, violent behaviour.
Based on the pioneering Icelandic ‘Barnahus’ model (Child’s House) the project aims to improve services to this vulnerable group, it will bring all services together in one place to support children and young people through what is currently a complex support system to tell their story.
As part of the development process, includem worked alongside 10 children and young people for five months to help develop the national standards for Bairns’ Hoose. Each child and young person involved in the process was paid the living wage for their time and contributions
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Research finds poverty levels worse than during the COVID-19 pandemic
Poverty is a growing barrier to children’s equality according to includem’s most recent research report.
It Is Not a Choice! finds that poverty remains the biggest obstacle to implementing children’s rights in Scotland.
The report, which is based on the experiences of 83 families includem supported, looked at the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on families.
Findings showed that two out of three families interviewed struggled to put food on the table on a regular basis, up from just under half two years ago at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly pronounced for families with social security as their main source of income with 76% reporting struggling to pay for food ‘about half the time’, ‘usually’ or ‘always’.
The proportion of families with worsened finances, debt, and mental and physical health in the last six months had increased since the survey was last conducted in 2020, at the height of COVID-19.
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