When families have the opportunity to learn, play and spend time together, the impact can be significant. Sitting together to play a game, sharing lunch, or talking about a visit to the doctor might seem ordinary, but for many families, these are moments that matter, helping to strengthen relationships, build confidence and create lasting memories.
Over two weeks in July, Children’s Health Scotland welcomed families from the Cranhill area of Glasgow to the SMS Families Programme, designed for children aged 3–7 years with additional support needs and their parents or carers. Through a series of structured sessions, families explored confidence, communication, emotional wellbeing and self-management skills in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment.
Learning Through Play
Play is a child’s right and a powerful tool for learning, communication and wellbeing. Throughout SMS Families, health-related play was used purposefully to help families develop practical self-management skills, build confidence and strengthen family relationships. Every activity was carefully planned to support specific learning outcomes, including communication, emotional wellbeing, participation and coping strategies that families could continue using at home.
While some children were eager to join activities straight away, others preferred to observe, explore and engage in their own time. Staff recognised that confidence develops differently for every child and encouraged participation at a pace that felt comfortable and safe.
Parents and carers played a key role throughout the programme. By taking part alongside their children, they modelled communication, problem-solving and positive engagement. As trust grew, many children became more confident in expressing themselves, sharing ideas and participating in activities.
One parent reflected on the difference the programme made to their child:
I am so happy. I have never seen her engage like that. Usually she stands off at the side and doesn’t participate. But here she was answering you, she spoke about her drawing, she was even a happy cat! It’s made me so incredibly happy.
For many families, the programme was also an opportunity to build new relationships and feel connected to their community.
We really need more stuff like this. I didn’t know anyone or anything but now I do and it makes me feel part of something.
These experiences demonstrate how health-related play can support children’s participation, communication and confidence, while helping families feel less isolated and more connected.
Taking Family Time Home
Learning did not end when the sessions finished. Each family enjoyed a packed lunch during the programme and received a recipe bag containing ingredients and instructions to prepare a healthy meal together at home. These take-home resources encouraged families to continue spending quality time together while developing practical cooking skills and healthy habits.
We know that strong family relationships are built through shared experiences. By combining health-related play, self-management learning, food and family time, SMS Families helps children and their parents or carers build confidence, strengthen communication and support positive health and wellbeing.
Children’s Health Scotland would like to thank the People’s Postcode Lottery, Cash for Kids, Scottish Children’s Lottery, Edinburgh Road Surgery Glasgow and the Scottish Government for supporting this work. We would also like to thank Cranhill Development Trust for preparing lunches, take-home meal ingredients and family recipe bags, helping to make the programme such a positive experience for local families.
