Beneficiary Spotlight - Circle Harbour Project
Last October we funded £460 to Circle's Harbour Project in Edinburgh
Circle supports some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and families across Central Scotland. They aim to support and strengthen families and children who are affected by parental substance use, so that children can live healthy, happy and stable lives which allow them to meet their potential.
The Circle Harbour Project is based in Edinburgh and works in partnership with The Sunflower Garden who offer therapeutic support to children. The project supports children and their families in a range of ways including individual work with parents, individual work with children and young people and whole family support. Circle uses a strengths based and solution focused approach to help families identify goals and ways to move forward positively in their lives.
In addition to the day to day support services, Circle offer opportunities for children and their families to engage in activities over school holiday periods such as Easter and summer. They also aim to offer a Christmas activity for children to take part in with their families.
Last October we funded £460 towards the running costs of a Christmas Party for the families Circle’s Harbour Project supports. Thanks to our support Circle were able to pay for a balloon modeller and face painter, a buffet and hire a hall in a central location. They were also lucky enough to have a visit from Santa!
For a number of the younger children who attended this would have been one of the first times they enjoyed a group activity with parents. It’s shocking to think that these kids would be going back to school after the holidays with no stories to tell their friends. The Harbour Project Christmas party ensures this won’t happen. This highlights how important it is for Circle to be able to offer such supportive opportunities for families to spend time together. Many families are isolated in their communities and have little in the way of extended family support. The party allowed parents to meet other parents and in one instance meant that two single parents living close by talked about meeting up in the future.
- The funding has made a huge difference towards the children and families that the project has helped such as;
• An opportunity to spend quality time as a family
• A safe and supportive space for parents to play with their children and for their children to see them relaxed
• The chance to attend a party in the centre of town and get out of the communities they live in
• Opportunities for the children to play freely and interact with other children their own age
• Parents had the chance to meet other parents and gain a sense that they are not alone in their situations
• Making memories as a family and having photographs taken as reminders of these
The grants which Circle received - both this time and others previously- have allowed Circle to offer additional experiences to children and their families, out with the core support which they offer. Any events which have been organised have been greatly valued by the people Circle support. Small amounts of money can allow very meaningful activities to be organised.
“For a number of the younger children who attended this would have been one of the first times they enjoyed a group activity with parents”
“Many families are isolated in their communities and have little in the way of extended family support”
We are incredibly proud to be able to support Circle. It is sometimes unimaginable to think that some children will go back to school after the Christmas holidays with no stories to tell their friends. Organisations like Circle make sure these kid’s make lasting memories and have stories to tell. Thanks to our fundraisers and supporters, without you we couldn’t support such worthwhile causes.