A £1MILLION early intervention project has helped 1989 children and 1697 parents in Glasgow.

Dubbed Glasgow's Early Years Early Action Group, it works with some of the city's most vulnerable families.

The aim is to provide a support network for struggling parents and children.

Scottish Government funding gave £981,877 to a dozen groups that work with families across Glasgow.

Councillor Stephen Curran said he was impressed with the joint working of the group and its positive results in a short space of time.

He said: "In the past a family who needed help might have been known by one voluntary group but now by sharing information, resources and knowledge that family is now being offered a range of help and services.

"This has to be a good thing and targeted support and early intervention is a key commitment of this council."

Helping the city's most vulnerable families, the project includes groups such as Stepping Stones for Families, based in Blackhill, and Mellow Parenting, which teaches parenting skills.

Lisa DeLacy is at home alone while her sons, David, seven, and four-year-old Michael, are at school and nursery.

When David was three Lisa felt she needed extra support and was told about Stepping Stones for Families by her son's nursery school, Molendinar.

The 24-year-old has been involved with the project ever since and has taken advantage of multiple courses – from computing and cookery to first aid.

Lisa, from Barmulloch, spoke at a special event at Trades Hall to mark the success of the early intervention partnership.

It was attended by MSP Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People; Tam Baillie, Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People, and Karyn McCluskey from the Violence Reduction Unit.

Lisa said: "Stepping Stones for Families means a lot to me. As well as helping the children – it helps the family as a whole.

"The project has helped me keep busy and given me so many friends and a lot of support."

Isobel Lawson, chief executive of Stepping Stones for Families, was also at the event.

She added: "The 12 organisations funded through the Inspiring Scotland investment of £981,877 offer an impressive and diverse range of opportunities for families and very young children in Glasgow.

"Through our work together, and in collaboration with Glasgow City Council, we have supported 1989 children and 1697 parents.

"With further investment we could be on the road to making a real and sustainable change to the lives of very young children in Glasgow."

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk