With Kids work across central Scotland in the most deprived areas of Glasgow, Edinburgh and West Lothian. We address poverty and disadvantage, using Play Therapy and focusing on the mental health and well-being of vulnerable children (up to age 12). Many of these children have suffered significant trauma in their lives (e.g. parental death, drug/alcoholic parent, physical, sexual or emotional abuse) and are struggling with relationships at home, in their community and in school. We work in over 30 schools/nurseries, and directly within communities delivering Play Therapy but also addressing the needs of the whole family and wider community with practical/emotional support. We also run the only ‘MSc Play Therapy’ in Scotland, helping to develop a workforce for the future.
Our families come from the most deprived communities in Scotland. Most are single parents who struggle financially, many are extremely isolated and there is little knowledge of child development and age appropriate expectations. Parents/carers have often been affected by their own adverse experiences and have never received appropriate support due to mistrusting statutory services, little knowledge about mental-health and shame/stigma. Around 30% of the children are in kinship care. For many families the strain of poverty, poor housing, isolation and poor mental health means they have little mental space to consider the needs of their child. 42% of children referred for play therapy are at a very high-risk for long-term mental health difficulties and all have experienced adverse childhood experiences.
We support vulnerable children and families to reduce the impact of trauma on the children, to improve family life and reduce social isolation in the community. We provide an early intervention, relationship-based service offering practical and emotional support to families and communities in areas of high socio-economic disadvantage to promote resilience, strengthen relationships and foster empowerment. We employ Play Therapists and a number of community family support workers who work in schools, nurseries and within local communities. Our activities give isolated parents/carers the opportunity to come together with their children. Creating a warm, inclusive environment, over time parents get to know us and share their difficulties/explore solutions, and create support networks within the community.
After Play Therapy, children are more included in all aspects of life, better able to engage in education, have improved emotional regulation, develop better relationships and have reduced risk of developing more serious mental ill-health in the future. Parents/carers have an improved outlook on life and are more able to manage day-to-day. They have an improved understanding of their child’s needs and have more confidence to meet them. Families are better connected, reducing isolation/loneliness. They have increased confidence/self-esteem both in their own lives and in their abilities as parents/carers. Annually we work with around c.400 children/families in play therapy and 600 in our community based family work.
