Seven initiatives across the country have received support to help families who are fighting poverty

Vulnerable families are set to benefit from new funding to support households in financial hardship.

Seven projects aimed at tackling child poverty will receive a total of £450,000.

The money is a part of the Every Child, Every Chance Innovation Fund - which is jointly supported by the Scottish Government and The Hunter Foundation.

The fund aims to support innovative approaches which could have an impact on reducing child poverty by 2030. The projects range from job training and a befriending service, to school-based mentoring and support for lone parents.

One of the successful projects is Stepwell, a social business based in Inverclyde, which provides support to people in the local community with health and finance issues as well as training and employment opportunities.

At a visit to meet staff and service users, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “We are committed to tackling child poverty and are always looking for new ways to support households and families in financial hardship. No child or adult should have their chances limited by poverty.

“It has been great to hear about the approach being taken by Stepwell to tackle child poverty in Inverclyde. Their method aims to get to the root cause of any hardship and through encouragement, support and training, families can begin to change their lives.”

Steven Watson, chief executive of Stepwell, said: “Stepwell is absolutely committed to tackling child poverty in Inverclyde. Through our Whole Life approach, we focus on providing person-centred support, offering vocational and accredited training and ‘real’ business work placements within our social businesses.”

The other organisations to benefit are Clyde Gateway, Covey Befriending, L.I.F.T. , MCR Pathways, Midlothian Sure Start and North Lanarkshire Council.