The Blackford Trust - Investing in Talent in Scotland and China

Multi-Cultural Family Base, Edinburgh

Our support

We are providing support to the Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB), Edinburgh, a voluntary organisation providing a range of services to vulnerable children, young people and their families.

The new project we are helping to fund involves outreach support to vulnerable ethnic Chinese families in Edinburgh, and in particular, to support a Mandarin-speaking 'Early Years' worker.

Background to our partner (see also here)

MCFB aims to enhance the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families directly, through flexible and personalized therapeutic work, offering individual, family and group support. There is a particular emphasis on early intervention and support to both parents and children in the early years of a child's life. The Centre also supports the education and training of students in caring professions.

Photos courtesy of Multi-Cultural Family Base

The new service for Chinese families will support recent migrants to the UK facing issues of poverty, poor housing, social isolation and lack of access to services.

Outcomes and lessons

The Chinese parent and child group was set up in April 2012 and is already flourishing with around a dozen families involved, usually meeting weekly.

The group gives an opportunity for parents to get information and advice and to give support to each other. In addition, they can learn about ways to encourage and promote their child's development and to engage with the children in positive play. The group has also hosted advice sessions with a midwife, a health visitor and a 'Rhymetime' worker to help with early literacy.

In addition, some families receive additional support depending on the specific needs of their child. Assistance can also be given to help parents access other services.

The parents involved have found the group immensely valuable. One said, "life is enriched, I have more friends, more communication, I no longer feel lonely and my child has become happier".

All involved with the new Chinese group are to be congratulated for their excellent progress in a short time.

To share this page with your friends by email, Facebook, Digg, Delicious, or other social networking sites, click this button....

This page was last updated on 31 October 2012.

The Blackford Trust, c/o Gillespie Macandrew LLP (B.12891.1), 5 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 8EJ, Scotland, United Kingdom