Martin Mathieson

Member of the Forum & Assistant Director of Children’s Services, Barnardo’s

What do you do within the organisation?

I have responsibility for Barnardo’s Services in Lanarkshire & West of Scotland. I am also a member of the senior Management Team for Barnardo’s Scotland.

Organisation aims/accomplishments & which communities your organisation is empowering

Barnardo's vision is a world where no child is turned away. Our purpose is to transform the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children, young people and their families. In Scotland, we deliver 130+ community-based services supporting over 26,500 children, young people and families on a range of themes, including: family support, disability, CSE/A, fostering & adoption, youth justice; education & employability, substance misuse, homelessness, Domestic Abuse and advocacy. Our services are firmly embedded in their local communities, united by a common focus; improving outcomes for the most vulnerable children.

We work with Local Authority colleagues across Scotland on Child Protection Committees, Early Years Collaborative and community planning bodies. Our partnerships with statutory services, including SPS, Social Work, Housing, Education, Health and Government Departments, enable us to develop innovative solutions, improving outcomes for children and young people.

See below overview of our services in Renfrewshire:

• Threads – Established in 1998. Support to young people/young parents (25 and under) through individual and group work interventions. Support includes housing and benefits, parenting support, support to access health based services and emotional support. We also offer pre and post-natal group work programmes
• Threads 1st – Provides support to young dad’s/ dads to be (25 and under) impacted by their own and / or parental experience of drug and alcohol use.
• Threads Pre-birth - a partnership with Renfrewshire SW enhancing parenting knowledge through the use of Five to Thrive
• Threads Gap Homes – This innovative model of supported accommodation, piloted in Renfrewshire. For care experienced young people who are at risk of Homelessness due to their needs being unmet by current models of support. We currently have two GAP Homes situated in Paisley with 2 young people in residence.
• Barnardo’s Works – (Employment Training Service for young people aged 16 to 25 years)
• Hear 4 You - (Children’s Rights & Advocacy)
• Renfrewshire Missing Service - (CSE/A delivered in Renfrewshire from our Glasgow Hub)
• Barnardo’s Retail – Linwood

How can people connect with your organisation?

Barnardo’s Threads and Barnardo’s Works: 2 to 4 Lochfield Road, Paisley, PA2 7RG

Martin Mathieson, Assistant Director Children’s Services, martin.mathieson@barnardos.org.uk  07717861485

Barnardo’s Works:  Service Manager Hugh Neill hugh.neill@barnardos.org.uk    0141 884 6252

Barnardo’s Threads: Service Manager Joanne Felvus joanne.felvus@barnardos.org.uk 0141 884 6696

Barnado's Scotland Website

Who are you outside work?

Dad, Grandad, Golfer, Musician (I play in an Eagles Tribute Band)