Caring in Christ's Name: Daisy Chain Early Years Project

Thursday October 13 2016

The fourth in our series for CrossReach Week looks at a project supporting young children in Glasgow

Kenny Fulton is acting manager of the Daisy Chain project in Glasgow.

“We have been going since 2011,” he explains. “There is a very diverse community in the Govanhill area, with over 56 different languages and a range of different cultures and ethnicities. There are people there from every background.

“The diversity in the area means that it is full of life and activity but it can also be a very challenging place to bring up children, with poverty, poor housing and isolation being some of the biggest adversities which families have to overcome.

“The Daisy Chain Early Years Project was set up to try to help children in the area overcome these difficulties and get the best possible start in life.

“We recognise that the earliest years of a child’s life are crucial in terms of their ability to thrive in later life and so our activities are mainly aimed at younger children. We provide a range of activities from play sessions, Young Parents’ Group, After School Programmes, Mums’ Support Group, Baby Massage, Dads’ Group and more.

“The team is made up of seven staff and over five volunteers – two of whom are parents who previously came to the play sessions. We all care deeply about the people we walk alongside and we work hard to build genuine, trusting relationships with parents and children. Daisy Chain is a very safe place to come. We focus on creating a place where people can be themselves, feel relaxed but also receive the support they want with life’s challenges as well. We encourage parents to build on their strengths and be the best they can be.

“In all our activities there is a strong theme of play. We create a protected space where parents can really connect with their children through play. Play breaks down barriers, it builds bonds, it de-stresses us... and it’s fun! Parents often tell us that they highly value this special time set aside for them and their child.

“We have some work specifically with the Roma community in Govanhill as well, providing practical support and advocating for them at a local level and a strategic level as well. There are huge inequalities facing these families as they find themselves socially excluded and discriminated against throughout Europe. It is our privilege to get to know these children and their parents. At Daisy Chain they have fun, build friendships, link into other services and build a better life for themselves as they are valued and included in the wider community.”

With such a diverse community Daisy Chain have families from all different backgrounds with almost all having English as an additional language.

“Many develop their English as time goes on but we find ways of communicating and the children and parents can tell that you are trying your best. Trust can be built, even without words,” says Kenny.

“It’s a real multicultural environment and as families get to know each other barriers are broken down and bridges built. In fact an essential part of what happens at Daisy Chain is parents getting to know each other. We see friendships formed which means people can support one another through the challenges of parenthood.”

More information on the Daisy Chain Early Years Project

This week is CrossReach Week, when the Church of Scotland celebrates the work of its social care arm. Throughout the week, we will profile a cross-section of CrossReach projects.
Polmont Prison Family Bus
The Rankeillor Initiative
Lewis Street Project

These articles first appeared in October's Life and Work. Subscribe here