Support for families in Midlothian
- Need some parenting advice or support?
- Worried about family relationships or wellbeing?
- Impacted by substance use?
- Struggling with money worries?
- Looking for some help to strengthen family relationships?
- Struggling with school?
- Are you a kinship family, and your social worker has put you in touch with Children First Midlothian?
Support for families impacted by substance use
Our substance use service takes a whole family approach to recovery and is there to support not only the person who is experiencing addiction, but also the wider family - including supporting children and young people to understand their family’s story. We believe that families do best when the relationships that are important to them are strong. We can support families who have been impacted by substance use both in the past and present, and across family members.
As part of our whole family approach, we support children and young people both alongside their family and individually. If you’re a child or young person who worries about your parent/carer, feels confused or frustrated about what is going on in your family and your feelings around this, or wants support for everyone to get on better, we can work with you and your family to help ensure you get the support you and your family need, and that your voice is heard and understood.
Our Peer Support workers have lived experience of either their own addiction, or the addiction of a loved one, meaning they have a good understanding of the challenges families face. We can support you with appointments, confidence, accessing groups, understanding yours or your family’s situation, and simply be there when you need a listening ear.
Support for families impacted by poor mental health
We offer support to families who are worried about the mental health and wellbeing of a child or young person in their family, as well as offering support to families where a parent, carer, or family member is struggling with their own mental health and the impact this can have on a family. We recognise trust and relationships are key and will take time to get to know your family to better. By working together with you and your family we aim to improve wellbeing through supporting stronger relationships, understanding feelings and emotions and how to manage these, and support to take steps towards recovering from difficult experiences.
As part of our whole family approach, we support children and young people both alongside their family and individually. If you’re a child or young person who is struggling with difficult feelings, whether that’s feeling low, worried, anxious, or trying to make sense of difficult experiences you may have had, we can support you. You may also have worries about the wellbeing of your parent, carer, or someone else in your family, want to be better understood at home and school, or want support for everyone to get on better and have fun! We can work with you and your family to help ensure you get the support you need, and that your voice is heard and understood.
Kinship families
For many kinship families it can feel overwhelming, and it can be hard to know where to turn. We take a holistic approach to support your family to make sense of your experiences, manage and understand big feelings, and explore strategies to cope with these.
To do this we offer:
- A safe space for you to talk and to explore the challenges you face.
- Advice and practical ideas to increase your understanding and confidence as a parent, build relationships and have fun with your children.
- Support to help you build stronger relationships within your wider family.
- Individual support to your child to help them talk about family relationships and the trauma they may have experienced.
- Support to other people who are around your child to help them understand the impact of trauma on your child.
Financial wellbeing
If you are worried about how you are going to cope with the cost of living crisis, you are not alone. Thousands of families across Scotland are worried about covering their essential living costs. Many families are reaching out for support, and we are here to help.
You can get help with:
- Putting a budget together and understanding what bills are important.
- Seeing if you can increase the amount of money you have coming in by doing a benefit check.
- Applying for benefits.
- Ways to reduce your spending and budgeting.
- Seeing if there are any grants available to help reduce your money worries.
- Dealing with creditors.
- Ways to deal with unmanageable debts based on your situation
For financial wellbeing support in Midlothian, you can contact our team on 0131 654 9540 for more information, or attend one of our weekly drop-ins with our financial wellbeing worker Carol.
When: Every Thursday, 10am – 3pm
Where: Food Facts Friends, 42 John Street, Penicuik, EH26 8AB
Groups and activities
Does day to day life feel a bit tough? Are you a parent or carer affected by substance use or poor mental health? Come along to our Wellbeing Wednesdays where you can meet other parents and carers and enjoy some welcome tea and toast, followed by a range of wellbeing activities.
When: Drop-in every Wednesday 9.30am – 12.30pm
Where: Children First Midlothian, 9-10, 40 Hardengreen Business Park, Dalhousie Road, Dalkeith, EH22 3NU
Contact Us: You can speak to one of our Peer Support Workers, Margaretrose on 07951188155, contact a member of our team on 01316549540, or email us on midlothian@childrenfirst.org.uk
Are you a man who is affected by alcohol or drug use in the family? Or are you a father looking for support in understanding substance use? Come along to our Men’s group where you will have the opportunity to share your experiences with people who understand and can support you in living with substance use in the family.
When: Drop-in every second Monday Evening, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Where: Children First Midlothian, 9-10, 40 Hardengreen Business Park, Dalhousie Road, Dalkeith, EH22 3NU
Contact us:
You can speak to one of our peer support workers, Charles directly on 07921057578, contact a member of our team on 01316549540, or email midlothian@childrenfirst.org.uk
Are you aged 12-16 year old and face some struggles with your mental health? Or perhaps you'd like to understand more about poor mental health, how this can impact on us, and strategies to help?
If you would like to know more, please speak with your guidance teacher in the first instance or alternatively contact a member of our team on 01316549540 or email midlothian@childrenfirst.org.uk
When: Dates for new group to be confirmed
Where: Children First Midlothian, 9-10, 40 Hardengreen Business Park, Dalhousie Road, Dalkeith, EH22 3NU
Kinship support group running every second Monday (contact the service for dates). An opportunity to meet other carers for peer support as well as staff from Children First and the Midlothian Family Centred care team for support conversations and training.
When: Drop-in every second Monday 6.15 – 7.45pm
Where: Children First Midlothian, 9-10, 40 Hardengreen Business Park, Dalhousie Road, Dalkeith, EH22 3NU
Contact Us: Contact a member of our team on 01316549540 or email midlothian@childrenfirst.org.uk
Get in touch
Get in touch to find out more about how we might be able to support your family
Call us: 0131 654 9540
Email us: midlothian@childrenfirst.org.uk