The Lighthouse Foundation has been awarded £43,000 to help it continue to deliver an art and play therapeutic service for local children and young people who have been affected by their parents’ substance issues. The money is coming from Corra Foundation’s Partnership Drugs Initiative (PDI).
Kathleen Bryson, the project manager, said: “The Lighthouse Foundation’s Children’s Therapy Service is based on the principles of play and drama therapy and aims to help children explore the issues affecting their lives at their own pace. We work with children aged 3 to 18, though the average age of the children who are referred to us is just ten. Many children who have been supported by this programme have been able to develop improved relationships with their carer, increase their self esteem reduce negative behaviour and in many cases Play Therapy has helped prevent placement breakdown between foster carer and the child placed with them. This funding means we should be able to continue to support vulnerable youngsters, their families and in many cases their foster carers.”
The PDI is a partnership between the Foundation and the Scottish Government. Elaine Wilson, PDI Programme Manager, said: “It is great to see innovative ways being used to help children who are affected by their parents’ substance issues. This means local children have an even better chance of being given the positive opportunities they deserve, and that’s good for them, their families and the whole community. This is the PDI’s second award for The Lighthouse Foundation since 2009, bringing the total support for local youngsters to just over £150,000.”
The Lighthouse Foundation has also received almost £89,000 through the Foundation’s other award programmes since 2005.
