Young mums scheme to go national

The Family Nurse Partnership helped more than 200 women in the Capital and their partners as they got to grips with parenting for the first time.

As well as offering useful mothering tips, the young families were also given help with housing, health and employment opportunities. The initiative received rave reviews from those involved.

Now health secretary Nicola Sturgeon has extended the scheme elsewhere in Scotland, where it is expected to help thousands of others.

She said: “Intervening at the earliest possible opportunity to support those in our society who are most in need is the key to improving Scotland’s health.

“I have seen for myself how the [initiative] is making a valuable difference to the lives of families.

“The programme is helping to give children healthier and happier futures.”