Praise for Home Start Orkney in parliamentary debate

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has praised the work of the charity Home Start, drawing particular attention to the efforts of Erika Copland and her team at Home Start Orkney, during a debate in the Parliament on Thursday afternoon.

During the Members’ Business debate, Mr McArthur took the opportunity to call on the Scottish Government to continue investment and support for families and children in the early years.

He said: “I was grateful for an opportunity to draw particular attention to the work carried out by Erika Copland and her team at Home Start Orkney. Our islands are not immune from the challenges that see families and children needing the sort of support and advice that Home Start workers and volunteers provide.

“One of the great strengths of Home Start is the way it tailors its provision to suit local circumstances.  In an Orkney context, this obviously involves trying to deliver services to those living in our smaller islands.  It was great, therefore, to see Home Start Orkney recently being awarded over £285,000 by the Big Lottery to help support an expansion out to these communities, where often the sense of isolation or financial pressures on families can be more acute.

“The demand for Home Start Orkney’s services has risen sharply over recent years, and this looks set to continue. It is right therefore that we acknowledge the fantastic work that Erika and her team do and the successes they have achieved in enabling families and individuals to rebuild their lives.”