Stronger Links: Stronger Families - Edinburgh, Lothian, Tayside, Fife, Borders

The Stronger Links, Stronger Families project provides early years services to families in the Edinburgh, Lothian, Borders, Tayside and Fife area who have a child between the ages of 0-14 with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.

The project offers a tailored support package to families that changes as your family's needs change. Support workers meet families on a one to one basis to learn more about them and how best to support the development of the child as well as the needs of the family. A support worker can also attend hospital visits, liaise with teachers at school meetings and provide advice and support at medical appointments.

There will be opportunities to attend family gatherings and events, giving parents the chance to socialise, share experiences and network while their children take part in exciting and fun activities.

Families also have access to our resources and expertise including advice on funding, respite and benefits.

Specialist support includes:

• Support and advice on the challenges children and families face during transition periods such as starting school or nursery.
• Practical advice on how to support your child's communication, mobility and learning at home.
• Expertise on the conditions spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus to help deepen parents knowledge of the conditions and how they can affect children.
• Advice on specialist funding available and benefits entitlement.

For more information or if you live in the Edinburgh, Lothian, Fife, Tayside and Borders area and have a child with spina bifida and/or hydrocephlaus and would like to be involved in the project please contact the project's co-ordinator Rachel Lawson on 03455 211 300 or email Rachel.

This project is generously funded for 3 years thanks to the Big Lottery Fund.