Spotlight Initiative - Family Plus Project

Our Family Plus Project in partnership with Barnardo’s Scotland and funded by North Lanarkshire’s Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (NLADP) is ongoing and provides housing support to families and young people affected by domestic abuse, addictions, and other trauma. Other Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) partnership projects that continue to be delivered include the Youth Life Coach Project, which aims to upskill young people with the skills and experience they need to live independently, and Creative Faces which provides opportunities for therapeutic interventions to improve health and wellbeing amongst young people.

With only 2.7% of working-age women in North Lanarkshire self-employed, The HIVE is a key part of the council’s strategy to increase business start-ups and boost economic performance.

Since it opened in February 2024, 384 women have registered on The HIVE’s online platform and more than 290 women have attended 39 events held at The HIVE with many going on to access the facility’s wider services. As well as high quality accommodation, The HIVE offers practical help to enable women to transform their business ideas into income, with free training and advice and access to crucial start-up funding.

The first year of operations shows clearly the level of ambition among women in North Lanarkshire to set up their own businesses and provide new services in their communities.

28 new female led businesses have emerged with support from The HIVE with another 12 identified in its start-up pipeline. The new start businesses operate in a range of sectors including financial services, technology, education, childminding, beauty, health and wellbeing and creative services.

As well as desks, offices, meeting rooms, beauty and well-being treatment rooms available to book, women using The HIVE have access to free one-to-one coaching and mentoring, advice on how to access funding, one-to-one Business Gateway advice and monthly learning and networking events.

Challenge Poverty Week is Scotland’s annual chance to highlight the injustice of poverty, and to celebrate collective action based on justice and compassion. It provides an opportunity for people to raise their voice against poverty and unite with others in calling for a just and equal Scotland.

Throughout the week, information and advice about the support available to help families struggling with income or money worries was promoted. 

Online information was offered to help support people across the area who are living with or facing poverty.

Thousands of households are suffering from low incomes and high living costs. The information provided practical steps people can take to help boost their income and improve their lives. Information was translated into different languages ensuring the reach of the initiatives was broad and inclusive.

A series of free events also took place in local communities which were hosted by the council, its partners and voluntary organisations.

Our Tackling Poverty Strategy aims to help residents tackle the drivers of poverty by offering guidance on health and wellbeing, employment, income maximisation and support for families and parents.

A record number of people living in North Lanarkshire have been supported by the council’s tackling poverty team - and other services - to secure the benefits to which they are entitled.

In 2023/24, the additional benefit income generated for residents increased by 35.1%, with just under £48million secured through claims and appeals.

The team dealt with around 1180 people per month, with residents contacting them directly through the dedicated telephone number or email.

Other referrals came from councillors, MSPs/MPs, NHS Lanarkshire and council services such as social work, education and housing.