St Andrew

The Stewardship Promoter in partnership with Dundee City’s Early Years and Childcare Development Team did some researching into why those young people were not using ordinary Mother and Toddler Groups and Child and Family Centres.

God is Love

Comments from those young parents included—

“They keep telling me what to do.”

“I’m much younger than anyone else.”

“They think I can’t be a good Mum because I’m so young.”

“They judge me without knowing me.”

“They are snooty.”

The Rev. A. Bogle in an article he wrote for Life and Work in January 2005 describing what he had seen as he visited various church projects in Scotland said,

“In Projects we see God’s work in the secular as well as the sacred, indeed it is to discover that God doesn’t make those distinctions.”

Those words epitomise WHY the members of St. Andrew’s Church embarked upon this Family Support Project.

“To show God’s love, care and compassion for others in a practical way by developing a welcoming, non judgemental parent support facility for single parents aged 16—21 years and their children.”

We are trying to provide a non statutory facility where those parents can meet together, receive support and help if wanted, and where they are encouraged to develop positive interactions and play skills with their children. We look towards encouraging the young parents to use mainstream facilities as appropriate. e.g. Swimming pool / parks / places of interest around Dundee and eventually mainstream pre-five facilities. When appropriate, opportunities for extending their own education is also discussed.

After lunch we play. Sometimes Mums do their own activities and Crèche Workers play with us.


	St Andrew's Parish Church Family Support Project 2 King Street, Dundee, Scotland. DD1 2JB Telephone: 01382200466 email: parishproject@btconnect.com
	As a congregation lead by the Kirk Session, why are we running this project? In 2004 as a result of our Elders’ Conference, elders identified Outreach Work” as a first priority for our church’s development. We wanted to show that as a congregation our witness to God—His love and His care towards all people, was not just confined to Sundays when the church was open for services. As a city centre church ,what could St. Andrew’s do to help people who frequent the city centre? *Why this* Family Support Project?** Wander around the city centre and note how many very young mothers there are on their own pushing buggies. Annually in Dundee there are 400 babies born to teenage mums. Many are given no family support in what we must agree is one of the most difficult jobs — caring for a young baby or toddler.
	The Stewardship Promoter in partnership with Dundee City’s Early Years and Childcare Development Team did some researching into why those young people were not using ordinary Mother and Toddler Groups and Child and Family Centres. Comments from those young parents included— “They keep telling me what to do.” “I’m much younger than anyone else.” “They think I can’t be a good Mum because I’m so young.” “They judge me without knowing me.” “They are snooty.” The Rev. A. Bogle in an article he wrote for Life and Work in January 2005 describing what he had seen as he visited various church projects in Scotland said, *“In Projects we see God’s work in the secular as well as the sacred, indeed it is to discover that God doesn’t make those distinctions.”* Those words epitomise WHY the members of St. Andrew’s Church embarked upon this Family Support Project. What are the Aims of the Project —— The overall aim is ; “To show God’s love, care and compassion for others in a practical way by developing a welcoming, non judgemental parent support facility for single parents aged 16—21 years and their children.” What are we hoping to achieve? We are trying to provide a non statutory facility where those parents can meet together, receive support and help if wanted, and where they are encouraged to develop positive interactions and play skills with their children. We look towards encouraging the young parents to use mainstream facilities as appropriate. e.g. Swimming pool / parks / places of interest around Dundee and eventually mainstream pre-five facilities. When appropriate, opportunities for extending their own education is also discussed. Staffing at each session consists of : Project Leader - paid Project Worker - as of March 2007 – paid 4 volunteers from St. Andrew’s Church and other churches in Dundee. Present Funding Sources Church of Scotland Parish Development Fund St. Andrew’s Parish Church The Robertson Trust Scottish Churches Community Trust Anchor Foundation Radio Tay – Caring for Kids A healthy lunch with homemade soup starts each session. Further Information If you would like more information, please contact Kathryn Sidey Project Leader 01382 200466 e- mail - parishproject@btconnect.com After lunch we play. Sometimes Mums do their own activities and Crèche Workers play with us.