Call for Aberlour support service for recovering mothers to be rolled out across Scotland

A group of new mothers who previously battled drug addiction have called for a support service to be rolled out for other mums facing similar struggles.

It follows a programme delivered by the Aberlour Children’s Charity, launched in Falkirk, which has offered practical and emotional support to more than 30 women over the past three years.

Named the Mother and Child Recovery House, the perinatal service is funded by the Corra Foundation, Falkirk Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships and Falkirk Council. There is also another recovery house in Dundee.

The women will speak at a reception at the Scottish Parliament regarding the success of the Falkirk programme on Tuesday in a bid to have the programme extended across the whole of Scotland.

They will explain how the support service has helped save and transform their lives, held their families together, kept their children out of care and why it should be available in every postcode.

One new mother, who has not been named, was once addicted to heroin, and said a traumatic pregnancy was overshadowed by the fear that she might not be allowed to care for her baby son.

She said: “I was on the methadone project, just starting my recovery, when my partner at the time died through drugs.

“That was the night I found out I was pregnant.”

“If my baby wasn’t here with me, then I probably wouldn’t be here. I’d have relapsed. My life is normal now. It’s looking good.”

Aberlour said research has suggested every pound spent on the service will save £14 by helping to keep children stay with their mothers and out of care.

Another woman supported by Aberlour said the Falkirk service does not just save money but transforms the lives of new mothers and their children.

She said: “I was a chronic drug user, a heroin addict, a crack addict. Totally and utterly hopeless, broken.

“I didn’t know if I was going to be able to take my baby home but I was referred to Aberlour and it felt like someone had got my back at last.

“Every woman in every area should have someone like that in their corner. Every area needs a perinatal support service like this. It is a massive support. I was no longer on my own.

“There is so much stigma around addiction and mental health but there is a trust there and it took just one person to see a wee bit of hope and things are totally different.”

“She added: “I’m proud of the mum I am now. My wee girl has changed my life and I am entirely there for her.”

Aberlour, which is Scotland’s biggest children’s charity, said the service is needed more than ever as Scotland’s drugs crisis is underpinned by the impact of child poverty and mental health issues affecting one in five new and expectant mothers.

The charity delivers tailored support to each family whether helping at home; offering lifts to appointments, friendly and practical advice and even becoming birth partners.

Lynne O’Brien, Aberlour chief officer, said: “It is powerful and encouraging to hear directly from the women supported by our intensive perinatal services about how they are helping transform lives.

“We are taking small steps in Scotland’s long road to recovery but these are steps in the right direction and we should take more and more quickly.

“We are hoping MSPs will consider ensuring similar services are available to women in every postcode.

“Every mother in recovery should have the support they need, when they need it.”

Wellbeing minister Maree Todd said: “We welcome this person-centred support to families which is one of several local services which the Scottish Government supports.

“We have also invested £5.5 million to support the development of two Aberlour-run Mother and Child Recovery Houses in Dundee and Falkirk which offer 24/7 support and keep families together by letting the children of women affected by substance use stay with their mothers during their recovery.”