Inverness fun day joins 70th anniversary celebrations across the Highlands and Islands, and further afield across Scotland, for the charity Action for Children
Celebrations were the order of the day for youngsters and their families in Inverness after they joined events to mark 70 years of the Action for Children charity.
Action for Children services across Inverness and the Outer Hebrides joined the celebrations last week, which marked the charity’s impact = particularly throughout the Highlands and Islands over 25 years.
Throughout its seven-decades of supporting children, young people and families in Scotland, Action for Children has expanded hugely. Driven by love, the charity now works across 30 local authorities, with deep community links and a wide range of life changing support.
Events in the Highlands and islands included a family fun day at the Highland Rail House in Inverness where the region’s family support, mentoring, and fostering services held a joint celebration.
The well-attended afternoon event featured arts and crafts; Gaelic music workshops with Feis Rois; and Highlands based DJ and producer Mark Mackenzie.
Other celebrations in the north included an event at Bayhead Community Centre in Stornoway for services from across the Outer Hebrides.
Services across Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra attended including those from the residential children’s home; short breaks for children with disabilities; school based mental health services; pregnancy, mother and baby wellbeing support services; and services helping tackle drug and alcohol misuse.
Together they took part in a 1950s themed tea party with ‘Juke Box’ Cake, party games, a face painter and display boards for attendees to enjoy.
Other celebration locations across Scotland included Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Moray, and Dumfries and Galloway.
Action for Children, the UK-wide charity formerly known as National Children’s Homes (NCH), opened its first Scottish service in 1955 in Rutherglen. Since then, it has expanded to offer residential homes, disability support, youth justice and family support services across the country.
Commenting on the milestone, Fiona Steel, national director for Scotland at Action for Children, said: "Scotland has changed in many ways over the past 70 years, but one thing remains the same; a safe and loving childhood offers the best start in life. This milestone is a powerful reminder about the importance of the support and care we offer.
“As we look ahead, Action for Children will maintain its commitment to helping the next generation build the foundations they need to thrive – now and in another 70 years.”
As one of Scotland’s largest children’s charities, another key focus during this year has been campaigning for the Scottish Government to take urgent action on child poverty and deliver on Scotland’s Promise to children and young people.
Later this year, the charity will mark the milestone with a high-profile parliamentary reception, where it will also recognise and celebrate some of the most exceptional stories of achievement from the young people it has supported over the decades.
