More than half of Scots with children under five are struggling financially or with their mental health, a leading world charity has claimed.
A poll by Unicef showed 200,000 parents with young kids are suffering and a quarter can’t get professional support. Some 61 per cent parents say their mental health has been impacted and 63 per cent have been affected by the rising cost of living. They cite a lack of support as a key factor to their problems report the Record.
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About a third said they battle to see a health care professional when their child is unwell, with services stretched after the pandemic. The poll found more than one in 20 parents in Scotland skip meals to pay for childcare.
Almost half have cut electricity and gas usage, with more than one in 10 unable to properly heat their home. And today the UK Committee for Unicef warned that the nation’s parents and carers need more government help.
Chief Jon Sparkes said: “We need to act now to support families and protect children’s futures.” While minister for children Clare Haughey said: “We are doing what we can to help families.”
Last week Edinburgh Live reported that heartbroken staff at a local food bank warned they 'can't keep up with demand' and how they are desperate for donations and funds.
Volunteers at Love Gorgie Farm told how the demand that would usually spike at Christmas but now is continuing to stay unprecedentedly high all year round which is leading to food shortages at the essential service.
The volunteer run service are also collecting Christmas presents as this year many parents will be unable to afford gifts for their children.
Manager at the charity Dolina Gorman said:: "There have been a lot of new faces, we get a lot of messages about the food bank and if we deliver across the city. But because we don’t have a van and we don’t have any paid staff, we can't do that anymore sadly.
"All sorts of people rely on the food bank, we get families, older people, single people living alone, those on a low income - it's a total mix.
"But one thing we have noticed is there are more and more new people. Obviously a lot of people find it challenging and a bit embarrassing so we try to respect their privacy which is really important.
"We have been saddened for the need for the food bank, there isn't much government funding just now so its really hard. Unfortunately there is going to be more of a need for food banks with the cost of living crisis continuing."
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While one local who had to rely on the service said: “I lost my job last week. You saved souls trapped in here. I will never forget that. Much love to all at Gorgie Farm. Hope to see you all soon."
Another person who uses the food bank added: “I just wish to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness with the delivery I just got. I am not someone who has experienced kindness in my life and I am overwhelmed. Not something I will ever forget."
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