Big Hearts’ Kinship Care programme was launched in October 2015 as our first family-focussed programme.
Our charity offers a range of comprehensive support to address the emotional, practical and financial challenges faced by young people and their carers:
Kinnections runs fortnightly for children living in kinship care to come together and connect with one another. The group aims to promote wellbeing and resilience and offers a variety of fun activities and outings.
Project times and info:
- Every alternate Tuesday from 5pm - 7pm, during term time
- The Shed, Tynecastle Park - the home of Heart of Midlothian FC
- Kinship young people aged 5-12
Get in touch!
To attend, please contact:
At this fortnightly group, children and carers meet with other families in a similar situation whilst receiving bespoke advice from our staff team.
Project times and info:
- Every alternate Tuesday from 4.30pm - 6.30pm, during term time
- The Shed, Tynecastle Park - the home of Heart of Midlothian FC
- Kinship Families
Get in touch!
To attend, please contact:
Coffee Mornings that provide a safe space for kinship carers to catch up in confidence, get peer support and share any specific challenges they encounter.
Project times and info:
- Every 2nd Monday from 10am - 12pm, during term time
- The Shed, Tynecastle Park - the home of Heart of Midlothian FC
- Kinship Carers
Get in touch!
To attend, please contact:
Men Carers Group based on peer-support through social activities out in the community aimed at improving the connections and wellbeing of male kinship carers and father figures.
Project times and info:
- Various locations across Edinburgh, depending on activity
- Male Kinship Carers
Get in touch!
To attend, please contact:
Kinship Care is where a child lives with a family relative full-time as their parents are unable to care for them. This can be due to ill-health, substance abuse, death etc.
Kinship Care is common in Scotland. Statistics estimate that a 1 in 3 of children currently ‘looked after’ in the country are in Kinship Care.
These placements can be arranged formally by the local authority or informally through family supporting their own. It is estimated that there are between 11,000 and 17,000 informal Kinship Care arrangements.
Due to its hidden nature, this form of care is not well known leaving families feeling isolated and under-supported.
Kinship Care is funded by:
- Edinburgh Council – connected communities
- Robertson Trust
- R S McDonald