Families enjoy Foxbar fun day

Families enjoyed an afternoon of fun activities thanks to a council scheme designed to help parents give their children the best start in life.

The team at the Families First base in Foxbar hosted a fun day with attractions including face-painting, balloon modeling, sporty activities, and even the chance for people to make their own fruit-filled mocktails.

Families First is a Renfrewshire Council scheme offering intensive support to families – anything from debt and budgeting advice to help accessing services and funding, to a helping hand with practical parenting skills.

It runs in five locations around the area – having initially started in Ferguslie and Linwood in 2013, the programme was extended to take in three new teams in Foxbar, Gallowhill and Johnstone earlier this year.

And the Foxbar team – who are normally based at Heriot Primary School – was joined for the fun day by Councillor Jacqueline Henry, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children Policy Board.

Councillor Henry said: “Supporting families and making sure children get the best start in life is one of the big priorities of this council.

“Renfrewshire Council is already recognised in leading the way in Scotland on our approach to tackling child poverty.

“Families First has been successfully operating for a couple of years now and we are delighted that money from our Tackling Poverty Fund has been able to extend the scheme to three new areas, including Foxbar.

“It’s always good fun to get out and about at days like this fun day – there was loads going on and it looked like everybody there was enjoying themselves.”

Sandra Sweeten, Families First Foxbar service co-ordinator, said: “The fun day was about giving families some quality time together and a break from dealing with day-to-day issues.

“The Families First scheme makes a real difference to people – it gives families a chance to talk about issues that are impacting on their lives

“We also want to thank Tesco in Linwood for donating crisps and juice for the fun day – we were really grateful for their help.”

More information on Families First can be found at  www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/familiesfirst and the Foxbar team can be contacted on 01505 812914.