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Lisa's Gift is a Charitable organisation set up in memory of Lisa Moran. The primary aim of this charitable organisation is to support pupil's in their participation within school based and extra curricular activities.

Applications must be made by the school, please contact us if there is anything you feel this charity can assist with.

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Tackling Child Poverty in Renfrewshire

Together, we can make a real difference to children's lives

Tackling Child Poverty in Renfrewshire

Together, we can make a real difference to children's lives

A Renfrewshire where no child feels excluded

All children should be able to achieve their potential and feel healthy, happy and valued, no matter how much money their parents or carers have.

Upcoming Events

More Events

Who is Lisa's Gift?

'Lisa's Gift' is a charitable organisation which has been created in memory of Lisa Moran. Its principal purpose is to offer financial assistance to students attending Renfrewshire schools, who may require this support, to allow them to take part in the full range of school based and extra-curricular activities.

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Lisa's Gift - Helping Underprivileged Children Across Renfrewshire, Scotland

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Together, we can make a real difference to children's lives Together, we can make a real difference to children's lives All children should be able to achieve their potential and feel healthy, happy and valued, no matter how much money their parents or carers have.

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Turn2Us is a website that highlights Funding/Grants that you may be entitled to depending on your financial/life situation. This takes into account all situations that would be acceptable and worth taking the time to look at.

This is done by answering questions anonymously. Click the link for more information and to get started.

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Turn2us is a national charity offering information and practical support to people facing financial insecurity. We help people gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other support - online, by phone and face to face through our work in communities and the organisations we partner with.

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BBC Children In Need Emergency Essentials Programme

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BBC Children In Need Emergency Essentials Programme

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This Grant is for young people aged 17 and under who are experiencing a crisis or emergency, and can be used towards household items.

Applications are open at specific times throughout the year and only one application can be accepted (if successful) for each family per year.

Applications must be made by a registered referrer from an organisation that is supporting the young person. This organisation must then oversee the distribution of the grant if successful.

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This programme provides essential items that no child should be without, such as a safe bed to sleep in, a cooker to provide a hot meal, to other items and services critical to a child's wellbeing.
Please note: All applications must be made by a registered referrer, and programme funding is limited.
Current Programme Status

The BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme has now reopened, operating as normal, and we aim to process applications within 10 working days.

As usual, please only contact us about an application if absolutely necessary, to prevent delays to the application being processed.

You can contact us via email (stating your application ID if possible) at emergencyessentials@familyfundservices.co.uk or call us on 01904 550011 between 9:30am and 3.00pm, Monday to Friday

Programme Longevity - Our Tiered Strategy

To ensure we can achieve programme longevity and reach underrepresented areas, we use a tiered strategy across regions and nations. Tier allocations may change as the funding year progresses.

We recommend that you read our tiered strategy guidance for referrers , to check for any changes to this tier allocation before registering as a new referrer or making an application.

Referrer Registration

BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme is a referrer only scheme and applications can only be made by an approved referrer.

If you work for an organisation that supports families, children and young people and are capable of assessing their needs, you can register to become a referrer before you making an application.

Your organisation should also be able to administer and supervise the grant on our behalf.

Family Fund Business Services has to work within specific criteria whilst aiming to provide a flexible grant programme to assist those most in need. Please read our guidelines before making a registration application.
Read our Emergency Essentials Referrer Guidelines
For more information, please call 01904 550011 between 9.30am and 3.00pm, Monday to Friday, or email emergencyessentials@familyfundservices.co.uk

Information for Parents and Carers

To apply for support, a professional referrer must complete the application on your behalf. This could be a support worker, social worker or health professional for example.

Unfortunately, parents and carers cannot apply directly , and we're unable to make exceptions.

Eligibility

Who we can help

Children and young people up to and including the age of 17 who are experiencing a crisis or emergency and live in the UK

We can only accept one application per household within a 12 month period

Who we are unable to support

Adults aged 18 and over

Children and young people who do not live in the UK

Those who are leaving care who have access to separate, specific statutory provision

Children and young people who do not meet the residence criteria as defined by the programme

Full details can be found in our Emergency Essentials Referrer Guidelines .

How we can help

We can deliver or fund essential items, including:

Cookers

Kitchen equipment and small appliances

Furniture

Children's beds and bedding (including cots)

Washing machines and tumble dryers

Fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers

Baby equipment

Clothing in emergency situations

How to apply

Applications must be completed by a registered referrer from an organisation supporting the family or young person. The organisation must be able to:

Assess the family's needs

Administer the grant

Supervise spending where required

Referrer feedback and family voices

Have you referred a family for support through the BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme? We would love to hear about your experience and the difference this support has made for the child, young person or family you referred.

Contact us

If you have any questions, you can contact us via email (stating your application ID if possible) at emergencyessentials@familyfundservices.co.uk or call us on 01904 550011, between 9.30am and 3.00pm, Monday to Friday.

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BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme - Family Fund Business Services

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Together with our parent charity, we deliver the BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme.

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This is Scotland's promise to care experience children and young people that they will grow up loved, safe and respected.

The Promise was formed with the opinions and experiences of Scotland's care experienced young people at the centre. It is centred around 5 pillars: Voice, Family, Care, People and Scaffolding.

More information about The Promise and what it involves can be found in the attached link.

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Culture, Leisure and Employability Fund - Care Experienced

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Additional Child Care Hours for Care Experienced Parents

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Additional Child Care Hours for Care Experienced Parents

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Care Experienced parents who have young children can gain additional child care hours for each child (from the age of 2) for Nursery care.

Click on the link for more information and how to apply.

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Apply for a free nursery or childcare place

On this page:

Places for three-year olds

Nursery places for the school year 2023 to 2024 start from August 2023. When your child starts will depend on when they turn three.

If your child's third birthday is on or before 28 February 2024, you should apply by 31 January 2023 for a free nursery place or childcare.

If your child is two and you've already applied for their place for when they turn three, you don't need to apply again.

If your child is already three or four years old and isn't at nursery or a childminder, you should apply for their free place now.

See who can get free nursery places and childcare for when your child can start.

Places for two-year olds

If your two-year-old child is eligible for free early learning and childcare, you can apply just before they turn two. They can start nursery and childcare in the term after their second birthday.

See who can get free nursery places and childcare for when your child can start.

You can apply to any council-run or council-approved nursery or childminder in Renfrewshire. If you want a place at a private or voluntary nursery or private childminder that isn't approved by us, you'll need to apply to them directly.

From August 2022, all eligible children will receive 1140 hours at nursery, an approved childminder or a combination of both.

Most of our nursery centres are open before and after the school day across the full year. You should check with your preferred nursery or childminder if they can accommodate the hours, days or arrangements that suit you.

You can apply online for a nursery place or childcare at one of our council-run or council-approved nurseries or council-approved childminders.

You must include:

the names of the parents or legal guardians

the address (proof of residence) of the parents or legal guardians, such as a utility or council tax bill

the child's original birth certificate.

If you're applying for a two-year-old child who is eligible for free early learning and childcare, because you or someone in your household gets a qualifying benefit, you'll need to show us proof like:

a confirmation letter of your benefit from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)

a tax credit award letter from HM Revenue and Customs.

You can see what qualifying benefits apply on the Scottish Government website.

You can upload scans or photos of your original documents with your online application.

You can download and complete the free nursery places and childcare application form [183KB] and return it to your chosen nursery or childminder by post or email.

If you email your completed form to your preferred nursery or childminder, you'll need to include screenshots or scans of your evidence. Make sure the image is clear enough to read the text.

If you return it by post, you'll need to return the completed application and your documents to the nursery by post. We recommend you send your original documents by recorded delivery for added security.

You can also phone your local nursery or childminder and ask them to send you a form.

You only need to make one application for your child's place, even if you have several choices or preferences.

On your application form, you must:

include your preferences such as specific days, times, term-time or full year

list your first, second and third choices for your preferred nursery or childminder.

We will do our best to get a place at your preferred place. However, this is not always possible. If we can't provide your child a place at your first choice, we will offer you a place at your second or third choice.

If you currently have a child at a nursery or childminder and want their sibling to attend the same one, you should state the names and ages of other children in your family on the application form. We will take this into consideration when allocating places.

We have a nursery, early learning and childcare admissions policy [125KB] to ensure places are allocated fairly and transparently.

Renfrewshire is divided up into ten admission panel areas of council-run or council-approved nurseries and childminders.

Priority is given to children who:

In each admission panel area, we allocate nursery places in order of priority, starting with priority one to priority five children. If there are more applications than places remaining in that that priority group, we will have a ballot to allocate these places. Children who don't get a place at that nursery, will be offered a place at their second or third choice.

If you apply by 31 January 2023, we will let you know about your child's place by the end of April 2023.

We hold admission panels every two months the school term, to allocate places for applications we receive after the closing date.

If we receive your application after 31 January 2023, it will be considered at the next area admissions panel

Let your preferred nursery or childminder know if there are any changes to your circumstances, as this could affect the placement offered by the admissions panel.

Applications for two-year-olds are reviewed throughout the year at the monthly area admissions panel.

When your child is offered a place at a council-run or council-approved nursery or childminder, they will confirm your child's nursery place with you in writing.

If you have any questions about your application or the place your child has been offered, you should discuss this with the head or manager of that nursery or the childminder.

If the matter is not resolved, you can contact Children's Services at:

Children's Services
Council Headquarters
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley PA1 1TZ
Phone: 0300 300 0170
Email: elc@renfrewshire.gov.uk

There is no appeal process for nursery placements.

A place at a nursery does not guarantee a place at the primary school that the nursery is part of. You will still need to .

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Apply for a free nursery or childcare place - Renfrewshire Website

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Apply for a free nursery or childcare place On this page: Nursery places for the school year 2023 to 2024 start from August 2023. When your child starts will depend on when they turn three. If your child's third birthday is on or before 28 February 2024, you should apply by 31 January 2023 for a free nursery place or childcare.

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Who Cares? Scotland are a national organisation that look to support all Care Experienced young people through independent advocacy, their helpline and knowledge about their rights and access to local groups.

Additionally, they also organise events around the country that allow Care Experienced young people to relax, enjoy and socialise with similar young people.

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To mark Refugee Week 2023, 21-year-old Sudanese refugee, Kadim has shared his thoughts on why there are so many refugees, the challenges they face and what needs to change to make the world a safer, more equal place to live for everyone.

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A lifetime of equality, respect and love for care experienced people Contact the Helpline 0330 107 7540 help@whocaresscotland.org Find out more Get support Who Cares? Scotland supports care experienced people...

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Too Good To Go is an app which allows customers to buy 'surprise bags' of food items for a significant fraction of the usual cost.

Examples of shops/restaurants are Morrisons, Tim Hortons, Greggs, M&S, Spar, Nisa, Linwood Farm, Starbucks and many more. Prices can range from £2-£5 and the bags can have a variety of items ranging from bread and milk to baked goods.

These items are normally coming towards the end of their shelf life, however more often than not they are still a number of days within this and fresh. Link below for app which is available on the Apple app store and Google Play.

https://share.toogoodtogo.com/

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The app that lets customers rescue unsold food from shops and restaurants to save it from going to waste. Try it today.

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Renfrewshire Educational Trust Grants (1)

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Child Winter Heating Assistance & Child Benefit

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Child Winter Heating Assistance & Child Benefit

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Child Winter Heating Assistance & Child Benefit

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The Scottish Welfare Fund - Crisis Grants

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Transition Fund (pupils with an impairment or disability)

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Transition Fund (pupils with an impairment or disability)

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Independent Living Fund Scotland - Transition Fund

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Applications can be submitted by the individual themselves or by a referrer (e.g., from school) and they must be 18 years of age or older to receive the Grant.

There are some minimum eligibility requirements which must be met and these can be found by clicking the link.

Funds average around £360.00 and applications seeking considerably more than this are likely to be unsuccessful.

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Guidance Notes - Please read very carefully

Our individual grants are aimed at those experiencing poverty or hardship.

We know that you may be applying to us as a last resort, we will therefore strive to ensure that your application is processed efficiently and that your experience is as positive as possible. However our funds are limited, so to maximise your chances of success please check that you are eligible and follow our guidance carefully.

How much can I apply for?

Our average award last year was £360.00 in value. Our awards are normally made in the form of e-vouchers, a bank transfer direct to a supplier, or through our own suppliers. If you apply for a much larger amount you are unlikely to be successful.

You must meet the minimum criteria listed below and supply a statement or letter of suppor t from a professional person (referrer) who knows you and your circumstances well. This could be a CAB Advisor, Housing Officer, Charity Worker, Money Advisor, GP or other professional person.
We are also happy to receive applications from referrers on behalf of an individual.
Please note - beneficiaries can only receive one award in any 12 month period to a maximum of 3 in any five year period.

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Our individual grants are aimed at those experiencing poverty or hardship. We know that you may be applying to us as a last resort, we will therefore strive to ensure that your application is processed efficiently and that your experience is as positive as possible.

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There are Food Banks in Johnstone, Paisley and Renfrewshire. Opening times and specific addresses can be accessed through the link.

In order to access these Foodbanks you must have a valid voucher and to access this you must contact them using the following link:

https://renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk/contact-us/

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Need to access a foodbank voucher?

Important - Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system. In order to get help from our foodbank, you will need a voucher issued by local agencies. - Find out more

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Need to access a foodbank voucher? Important - Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system. In order to get help from our foodbank, you will need a voucher issued by local agencies. - Find out more