Home-Start Glasgow North is a family support charity based in the North of Glasgow that supports families going through challenging times.

Location: Glasgow

The organisation provides family support to pregnant families and families experiencing difficulties. The support is provided through weekly home visits by trained peer volunteers and family group sessions.

Last year, Home-Start Glasgow North decided to embark on their first ‘Kiltwalk’ a fantastic fundraising event held in various cities in Scotland. The charity enlisted the help of local Kilt makers, Slanj, to help raise their profile and promote their work. The original request was for off cuts of tartan that walkers could wear as sashes on the walk, but Slanj Kilts agreed instead to design and gift a unique tartan for Home-Start Glasgow North’s use.

Home-Start Glasgow had two beautiful tartan kilts made, including one for a brand new Home-Start mascot bear named, Slanj. £14,000 was raised from the walk with staff, volunteers, supporters and Slanj staff joining in the event. Slanj the bear is now a well-loved member of the team appearing at events, outings and activities much to the delight of all the families that the charity supports.

This relationship has continued to develop, with tartan neckties and snoods being created for the 2019 Kiltwalk, as well as developing further products that can be used to raise funds and continue to promote the charities work.

Nikki O’Hara, Manager, Home-Start Glasgow North, said:

Home-Start Glasgow North are absolutely delighted to be short listed as finalist. With the support of our friends from Slanj, Kiltmakers in Glasgow we have been able to increase both our profile and much needed funds to support our work with local families experiencing difficulties. Both organisations are passionate about improving the outcomes and futures for local families, helping them increase in confidence and feel part of their local community. We are so pleased to have our work recognised emphasising the importance of volunteering, community partnerships and relationships.

Brian Halley, Slanj owner, said:

At Slanj, we work with a variety of great charities although we have a special relationship with the Home Start Glasgow team which offers tremendous support for vulnerable local families. For this reason, we were delighted to join them in raising funds through the Kiltwalk and look forward to helping them with other opportunities which will help them raise the profile of their great and much needed work.