£14k Inverness common good grant sought to help vital Hilton Family Support group’s expansion
A vital family support project in an Inverness neighbourhood could soon be awarded more than £14,000 to help towards its costs and expansion.
Hilton Family Support, which provides support to dozens of parents in the Hilton area of the city, is in the process of expanding to meet demand - having recently employed a second full-time project worker
The project, which is now 10 years old, typically provides support to parents with children younger than school age but is also establishing a support group for parents of children who previously attended but who have now aged out.
It recently applied for £15,000 in funding from Inverness Common Good Fund for help towards the project’s annual running costs, which are just shy of £90,000 and include the wages of the two project workers, administration, training, venue hire, utility bills and group outings among others.
In their application to the common good fund, which will be discussed by Highland councillors on Monday, a spokesperson for the project said: “Hilton Family Support supports between 70-80 parents plus children in the Hilton District of Inverness. That in itself indicates a demand for our services especially with the cost of living crisis and all the anxiety that brings.”
They continued: “It cannot be underestimated the positive effect Hilton Family Support are having on the families in the Hilton District of Inverness.
“The project is growing and with a population of over 8000 in the Hilton district, which is amongst the most disadvantaged communities in Scotland, demand for our services will only grow.”
The project runs a range of sessions each week, which include baby sensory play groups, buggy walks, support groups that include breakfasts, music and play sessions, and toddlers groups.
The spokesperson added: “These groups provide a safe space to get alongside parents and children to get to know them and their issues and struggles.
“We can then target effective support through one-to-one meetings, provide food parcels, nappies, clothing etc.
“We have positive relationships with other organisations such as HALO, Grace and Gap, health visitors, HighLife Highland, the foodbank, CALA, Cauldeen School, The Calman Trust, and many others.”
Highland Council’s City of Inverness area committee are expected to decide the grant request on Monday, with an award of £14,100 being recommended by officers.
The support project also receives funding towards part of its £89,000 operating costs from a range of other sources, including the Cattanach Trust and Trusthouse, and through donations and fundraising.
