Cumbernauld Village Family Learning Centre is celebrating becoming the first family learning centre in North Lanarkshire to achieve the prestigious UNCRC Gold Accreditation.
The achievement recognises the centre’s commitment to putting children’s rights at the heart of everyday life, ensuring children and young people feel listened to, valued and empowered to have their voices heard. A special celebration took place on Tuesday 6 October bringing together children, families, staff and community partners to mark the milestone.
The centre’s UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) journey has focused on much more than achieving an accreditation. Staff have worked with children, parents, carers and the wider community to create a culture where children’s rights, participation, relationships and belonging are part of everyday practice.
Children are encouraged to share their views and influence decisions that affect them, helping them understand their rights and develop confidence in using their voices.
The centre has also built strong links with the wider Cumbernauld Village community. A particular focus has been its intergenerational work with Cumbernauld Village Care Home, where children have developed genuine relationships with older members of the community through shared activities, celebrations and ongoing projects.
The centre’s outdoor and environmental work has also played an important role. Through its allotment and wider outdoor learning, children have opportunities to grow, care for and learn about their environment, while making decisions and taking responsibility for the impact they can have on the world around them.
Michael McBride, Education and Families Convener said: “This is a fantastic achievement for everyone at Cumbernauld Village Family Learning Centre and a really important milestone for North Lanarkshire, as the first family learning centre in the area to achieve UNCRC Gold.
“My congratulations go to the staff, children, families, carers and all the community partners who have played a part in this success. Everyone involved should be very proud of what they have achieved.”
Head of Centre, Donna Fleming, said: “We are incredibly proud to have achieved UNCRC Gold and grateful to our children, families, staff, parents, carers and community partners for the hard work and commitment that has made this possible.
“Our children have been at the heart of the journey, sharing their ideas and helping to shape our approach. For us, children’s rights are not simply part of a project or an accreditation. They are embedded in who we are and how we work every day.
“We want every child to feel valued, listened to and empowered to make a difference. Achieving Gold is wonderful recognition of that work, and we are hugely proud of what our whole community has achieved together.