Hansard

I congratulate Alison McInnes on bringing the motion to Parliament for debate. Before I continue, I offer the apologies of Nanette Milne, who intended to participate in the debate but has been called away to deal with other parliamentary business. However, I am delighted to have the opportunity to say a few words in support of Home-Start Garioch.

In rural communities, problems are often masked by distance and sometimes, in areas such as Garioch, strangely, by wealth. We are talking about one of the wealthiest areas anywhere in Scotland, but we have to remember that, in a broad rural community, it is easy for people to be left behind. Many who suffer deprivation in such communities are almost out of sight and out of mind.

Such communities, particularly Garioch, are in many respects great examples of ones that work well. Quite often, families and peers work together to ensure that support is provided to families who need it when it is needed. However, if someone is outside the range of their family or friends or lacks access to transport and begins to feel isolated, starting a family at the same time can be a major challenge and difficulty. It is therefore wonderful that organisations such as Home-Start Garioch exist to formalise that traditional family or peer group relationship and to deliver for those who are in need and who cannot access support mechanisms through a more traditional means.

As we have heard, there is a network of Home-Start organisations across the rural north-east that can provide such support. Those organisations should never be left on their own. At every level, we must remember that they require all our support and encouragement. The Government needs to look closely at the support that can be delivered at all stages.

The vital thing is that no one should feel that they are alone or isolated, particularly in a rural environment, and no one should feel that there is no one there to help, especially when they are beginning to build a family and bring up children. That is why organisations such as Home-Start Garioch are so vital, particularly in areas such as Garioch. For that reason, I offer my sincerest congratulations to Home-Start Garioch on its 20th anniversary, and I look forward to another 20 years and more.