IN ARGYLL AND BUTE SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES
ARGYLL AND BUTE WIDE SUPPORT
Best Start Grants and Baby Payments
The Best Start Grant is a package of three payments that will give extra money to low-income families during the early years of a child’s life
The three payments are:
Pregnancy and baby payment – eligible parents / carers can get a £642 35 payment for their first child, £321.20 for any subsequent children
Early learning payment – eligible parents / carers can get a £267 65 payment for each child, paid around the time of starting pre-school / early learning
School Age payment – eligible parents / carers can get a £267.65 payment for each child, paid around the time of starting school
For more information, see website www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods.
Best Start Foods
Best Start Foods is a payment that can help you buy healthy foods like milk or fruit during pregnancy and when your child is under 3.
Best Start Foods is paid every 4 weeks. The payments are:
£21.20 during pregnancy (you’ll get the same amount whether you’re having one or more babies)
£42.40 for each child from birth until they’re one year old
£21.20 for each child aged between one and 3 years old
If your baby’s born early, you’ll get the higher amount from birth until 1 year after the due date. For more information, see website www.mygov.scot/best-start-grantbest-start-foods
Child Winter Heating Assistance
Child Winter Heating Payment used to be called Child Winter Heating Assistance. Child Winter Heating Payment is a benefit from the Scottish Government. It is a payment to help disabled children and young people and their families with increased heating costs over winter It is paid once a year The payment for winter 2024-2025 is £251.50. For more information, see website www.mygov.scot/childwinter-heating-payment.
Carers Allowance Supplement
Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment for people in Scotland who get Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on a particular date.
Carer's Allowance Supplement is paid 2 times a year. For more information, see website www.mygov.scot/carers-allowance-supplement.
Job Start Payment
The Job Start Payment is a new benefit to help with the costs of starting a new job. If you are aged 16 – 24 or 25 for care leavers and have been offered a job on or after 17 August 2020 and meet the eligibility criteria you may be entitled to a one-off payment of £250 or the higher rate payment of £400 if you are the main carer of any children For more information, see website www mygov scot/job-start-payment
Young Carer Grant
A new yearly payment of £300 for young carers aged 16-18 who live in Scotland. It is a cash benefit to spend as you choose and you can apply if in school, further education, employed or unemployed. For more information, see website www.argyllbute gov uk/council-tax-and-benefits/benefits-and-grants/young-carer-grant
Child Disability Payment
Child Disability Payment provides support for the extra costs that a disabled child might have. Child Disability Payment replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children and young people living in Scotland. You can apply for Child Disability Payment for a disabled child under 16 The disability can be mental or physical For more information, see website www.mygov.scot/child-disability-payment.
Scottish Child Payment
Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting your family. It's a weekly payment of £26.70 that you can get for every child you look after who's under 16 years of age. You'll get the payment every 4 weeks if your application is successful. For more information, see website www.mygov.scot/scottish-childpayment.
AliEnergy
AliEnergy offers support to families who may be struggling with energy bills, advisors can support those with pre-payment meters or billed accounts offering support with energy debts and liaising with energy suppliers, help is also available to purchase white goods for those in need. Cozy kits can be handed out that include items to help keep families warm AliEnergy offer advice and practical support in three areas For more information, see website www.alienergy.org.
Bute Advice Centre
Bute Advice Centre helps families to maximise family income through benefits and advise on a range of solutions regarding debt and advise on benefits and funds available to help those who need it Bute Advice centre have strong links with other services in the third sector such as ALIenergy and can refer to those that can offer more targeted support. For more information, see website www.buteadvice.org.uk.
Free School Meals and Clothing Grant
You may be entitled to Free School Meals and a Clothing Grant of £120 per child when attending Primary School and £150 per child when attending Secondary School. To check if you are eligible see following website www argyll-bute gov uk/council-taxand-benefits/benefits-and-grants/free-school-meals-and-clothing-grant.
School Uniform Scheme
Argyll and Bute Council has been working with its schools and third sector partners to develop this innovative scheme that will see school uniforms that children have outgrown, either reused or recycled - saving peoples’ purse and the planet The scheme will enable every child and young person to access a uniform, while contributing to the council’s vision of becoming a net zero carbon emissions organisation by 2045 For more information, see website www argyllbute.gov.uk/education-and-learning/school-grants-and-support/school-uniformscheme.
Next Chapter Scotland
Next Chapter Scotland exists to help anyone in Scotland who has been involved with the criminal justice system to navigate the stigma and discrimination that they can face throughout their lives. For more information, see website www.nextchapterscotland.org.uk.
Argyll & Bute Citizens Advice Bureau
Argyll and Bute’s Citizens Advice Bureau regularly helps people with their money, their family, their daily life and their rights Website: www argyllandbutecab org uk
Early Learning and Childcare
To find out if your 2-year-old is eligible for a funded place in ELC follow the link below. www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/education-and-learning/early-learning-and-childcare/fundedearly-learning-and-childcare-age-2
Information on Childcare and Early Learning Provision within your area. www argyll-bute gov uk/education-and-learning/early-learning-andchildcare/childcare-providers.
Best Beginnings
Best Beginnings is a small service currently made up of a Parent-Infant Therapist covering Argyll & Bute. We support the special relationship between the main caregiver and their baby if there are difficulties in connecting with their baby which is causing concerns. Mental health starts in infancy and is developed by the relationships and life experiences of the infant which will affect how babies learn to manage their emotions and cope in the world around them. We work with families and infants from birth until third birthday and will accept referrals from other services supporting the family. Contact:Lorna.Curran@nhs.scot.
MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLES
Food Banks
Kintyre Foodbank
Unit 3, Mull of Kintyre Industrial Estate, Albyn Avenue, Campbeltown, PA28 6TP kintyrefoodbank@gmail.com
Tarbert (Loch Fyne)
Tarbert Pantry/Soup Group, 1 Kintyre Place, Tarbert macleanh71@aol.com
Ardrishaig/Lochgilphead
Mo-Ma (Moving On-Mid Argyll) 07435 839034
Islay Foodbank minister@islaybaptistchurch.org.uk
West Lochfyneside Parish Church Foodshare
Inveraray Church Hall, Church Square, Inveraray, PA32 8TX dorothy.wallace@churchofscotland.org.uk
Bookbug Sessions
Bookbug Sessions are free events for children aged 0-5 years and their mums, dads and carers. Sessions last around 30 minutes and include songs, rhymes and a story. You can expect a warm reception at your local Bookbug session Everyone is welcome. For more information, see website www.scottishbooktrust.com
Group Sessions
Kintyre Toy Library Monday 10:00 - 11:30am
Venue
Springbank Church
Port Ellen Baby & Toddlers Monday 10am-12pm (term time) Ramsay Hall, Port Ellen
Ardrishaig Parent & Toddler Group Monday 10.45-11.45am North Hall, Ardrishaig
Bookbug (Mid Argyll) Monday 2pm (term time) Lochgilphead Library
Post-natal coffee morning (under 1 year) Tuesday 09:30-11:30am
Tiny Tots
Tuesday 9.45-11.45am
Lochgilphead Parish Church
Lorn & Lowland Church Hall
Group Sessions Venue
Minard, Furnace & Lochgair Toddler Group Tuesday 10:00am-12:00pm Minard & Furnace Halls
Bookbug Campbeltown Tuesday 10.15am Campbeltown Library
Port Ellen Baby & Toddlers Wednesday 10am-12pm (term time) Ramsay Hall, Port Ellen
Baby Massage
every 2nd Wednesday 11am-12pm Islay Cyber Café, Port Ellen
Bookbug Tarbert Thursday 10am Tarbert Library
Campbeltown Community Church Playgroup Thursday 10-11.30am Kirk Street Hall, Campbeltown
Bookbug Campbeltown Thursday 10.15am Campbeltown Library
MiniPups Outdoor Toddler Group Thursday 10.30am-12pm (term time) MAKI Pups Outdoor Nursery, Kilmory Gardens Lochgilphead
Inveraray Baby & Toddler Group Friday 9.30-10.30am Inveraray Primary School
Tarbert Shrimps Playgroup Friday 10.00-11.30am Village Hall, Tarbert
Southend Playgroup Friday 10am-12pm Southend Community Hall
Jump Start (under 4 years) Friday 10:00am-12:00pm Baptist Church, Lochgilphead
Port Ellen Baby & ToddlersSensory/messy play Friday 10am-12pm MYFOS, Port Ellen
Messy Play Friday 10an-12pm Islay Cyber Café, Port Ellen
Blaze trails Kintyre baby walking group’
Baby Massage
Blethers, Bairns & Buggies (pushchair walk)
Various – see Facebook for details and booking Various
Various (contact Mid Argyll Health Team)
Run by Mid Argyll Health Team
MAYDS (Mid Argyll Youth Development Service) Lochgilphead
Stag car park, Lorne Street, Lochgilphead
COWAL AND BUTE
Foodbanks
Bute Oasis Foodbank
6 Argyll Street, Rothesay angelacallaghan1414@gmail.com
Hub Grub/Recovery Café
Dunoon hubgrubhub@gmail.com
Bookbug Sessions
Bookbug Sessions are free events for children aged 0-5 years and their mums, dads and carers Sessions last around 30 minutes and include songs, rhymes and a story You can expect a warm reception at your local Bookbug session Everyone is welcome. For more information, see website www.scottishbooktrust.com
Family Support- Lets Grow Kids, see website www.letsgrowkids.co.uk
Toddlers/ stay and play
Group Sessions
Gaelic Toddlers
Kirn Stay and Play
Swimming lessons
Monday 9.30-11.30am
Tuesday 9.15-10.45am
Tuesday 10.30-11am (6-18 months) Tuesday 11-11.30am (18-36 months)
Sandbank Toddlers Wednesday 9.15-11am
Dunoon Stay and Play Wednesday 11-11.30am
Gaelic Toddlers
Thursday 9.30-11.30am
Bookbug Thursday 10.30-11am Thursday 11.30am-12pm
Innellan Toddlers Friday 9.20-11.30am
Bookbug Friday 11-11.30am
Venue
Pipe Band Hall
Kirn Primary School
Riverside Leisure Centre
Sandbank Primary School
Dunoon Primary School
Pipe Band Hall
Queens Hall
Innellan Primary School
Queens Hall
Helensburgh and Lomond
Home Start
Home-Start has been supporting families with young children throughout the UK since 1973. Home-visiting volunteers offer a unique service providing practical and emotional support to parents/carers with one or more children under 5. For more information, see website www.homestartlomond.org.uk
Bookbug Sessions
Bookbug Sessions are free events for children aged 0-5 years and their mums, dads and carers. Sessions last around 30 minutes and include songs, rhymes and a story. You can expect a warm reception at your local Bookbug session. Everyone is welcome. For more information, see website www.scottishbooktrust.com
Infant Feeding Group
Health Visitor led drop-in group for advice on infant feeding including breast feeding, formula feeding and weaning. Healthy Start vitamins and dental care packs are available for free. Bethesda Centre, Wednesdays 1pm-2.30pm. For more information, call The Health Visiting Team on 01436 655145.
Group
Sessions Venue
Wee Wrigglers Wednesday 10-11.30am
Contact Emily: familyministry@helensburghcos.org
Cardross Baby and Toddler’s Friday 10-11.30. Contact Fiona: carrdrossmotherandtoddlers@gmail.com
Café n’ Play Friday 11am-1pm
Contact Katie: katie@centre81.org.uk
Babies and Toddlers Friday 10-11.30am Contact: Natasha: natashatraylor1@gmail.com
Arrochar Children’s Library and Coffee Morning Saturday 10am-12pm admin@threevillageshall.sco
Soft Play for 0-5 year olds (£2 charge)
Drumfork Soft Play for (0-5 year olds)
Saturday and Sunday 14.30-16.30pm Tel: 01436 672224 helensburghpool@liveargyll.co.u
Booking details available via Drumfork Community Centre on Facebook or call:01436 673964 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php id=100064543762126
Helensburgh Parish Church
Cardross Parish Church
Garelochhhead Centre 8
Rhu Hall
Three Villages Community Hall
Helensburgh Leisure Centre
Drumfork Community Centre
Bookbug Sessions
Call for available times. Tel: 01436 658833 helensburghlibrary@liveargyll.co.uk
Helensburgh Library
Naval Families Federation, Drumfork Community Centre
Provides support to families within the local area as well as the units from HMNB Clyde.
For more information contact: Contact: Roberta Docherty 01436 672798
Helensburgh Food Bank
Helensburgh Community Hub (Formerly British Red Cross Hall). 116 East Princess St. Helensburgh G84 7DQ
Foodbanks also operate in Rosneath and Arrochar, for more info email helensburghfoodbank@gmail.com
BOOK NOOK at the Hub
Helensburgh Community Hub
Extensive range of children’s and adult books - £1 each. Monday 2-4pm Tuesday 10am – 2pm
Wednesday 10am – 4pm
2nd and 4th Saturday of every month 11am – 2pm
Also, home of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library!
Contact: 01436 678088 or manager@helensburghcommunityhub org uk for more information
Oban, Lorn and the Isles
Foodbanks
Hope Kitchen
2 Argyll Street Oban PA34 5SG obanhopekitchen@gmail.com
Mull and Iona Pantry mullandionapantry@gmail.com
Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT)
An Roth Community Enterprise Centre
Craignure Isle of Mull PA65 6AY enquiries@mict.co.uk
SOLAR: Tiree Food Project solartiree@gmail.com
Bookbug Sessions
Bookbug Sessions are free events for children aged 0-5 years and their mums, dads and carers Sessions last around 30 minutes and include songs, rhymes and a story
You can expect a warm reception at your local Bookbug session. Everyone is welcome. For more information, see website www.scottishbooktrust.com.
Group Sessions Venue
Oban Community Nursery NursesNew Families group, for families who have recently moved to the area.
Every second Monday 10- 11:30am The Rockfield Centre Cafe
Salen Babies and Toddler Group Monday 1-3pm
Home-Start Lorn Monday 1:30-3pm (every 2 weeks )
Taynuilt Tiny Tots Tuesday 9:30-11am
Oban Buggy Walk and Bookbug session Tuesday 9:45 -11:30am (term time)
Benderloch Toddlers
Tuesday 10–11:30am (term time)
Salen Church Hall
Dunbeg Church
Taynuilt Village Hall
Oban Town Clock - venue TBC
Victory Hall, Benderloch
Group Sessions Venue
Toy Cupboard & Lorn Toy Lending Library - Stay and Play
Appin Stay and Play
Noah’s Ark, Parent and Toddler / Baby Group
Tea & Tots in Dalmally
Home-Start Lorn - Stork Café
Oban Library Bookbug sessions
Noah’s Ark, Parent and Toddler / Baby Group
Home- Start Lorn - Weekly Swimming
Taynuilt Tiny Tots
Dunbeg Buggy Walk and Play/ Bookbug session
Toy Cupboard & Lorn Toy Lending Library - Stay and Play
Noah’s Ark, Parent and Toddler / Baby Group
Pàrant is Pàiste An Òbain
Tuesday 10am-12pm Glencrutten Church Hall
Wednesday 10am-11.30am (term time) Port Appin Village Hall
Wednesday 10-11:30am (term time)
Oban Baptist Church, Albany Street
Wednesday 10–12am Dalmally Village Hall
Wednesday 2-3:30pm Hope Kitchen
Thursday 9:30 and 11am Oban Library
Thursday 10-11:30am (term time) Oban Baptist Church, Albany Street
Thursday 12-1pm Atlantis Leisure
Fridays 9:30-11am
Friday 9:45-11:30am
Taynuilt Village Hall
Dunbeg Church Hall - TBC
Friday 10am-12 pm Glencrutten Church Hall
Friday 10-11:30am (term time)
Oban Baptist Church, Albany Street
Friday 10.30am -12pm Furan Gaelic Centre Corran Halls
Home - Start Lorn - Mini Moovers Friday 1:30-3pm Atlantis Leisure
Bumps & Babies Mummy ChatFor pregnant and new mums, babies up to 4 months.
Furan Gaelic Bookbug
Friday 1:30-3:30 The Rockfield Centre Café
Saturday 10.30am-12:00pm
Furan Gaelic Corran Halls, Oban, PA34 5AB