The Lighthouse Foundation
The Lighthouse Foundation is based in Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire and was established in 2001 to provide support to families of individuals with a drug misuse problem. They provide counselling, group support for adults and activities for children. They also run practical initiatives including training on how to cope with a family member who has taken an overdose. Support is also given to grandparents who are looking after their grandchildren due to parental substance misuse - Kinship Care.
The Lighthouse Foundation first applied to The Robertson Trust in 2003 when they needed core funding to establish their base in Kilmarnock. A visit was undertaken by the Assessment Manager who established that the organisation was not yet ready to come forward for core funding. The Lighthouse Foundation went away and followed the advice given and 6 months later a one year donation of £8,000 was agreed. The work of The Lighthouse Foundation progressed well during this year and they kept the Trust informed of their progress which included the development of links with their local prison and the development of support for families of offenders with addiction issues.
During this time, The Robertson Trust commissioned research into "Best Practice in the rehabilitation of offenders on release from prison". This identified support for the families of offenders as a key area where there are significant gaps in current provision and little statutory investment. The Robertson Trust built a partnership with The Lighthouse Foundation to develop their work with HMP Bowhouse in Kilmarnock. The Lighthouse Foundation now receives a development donation of £40,000 a year from the Trust which is backed up by the support of an independent researcher who monitors and evaluates their work. An opportunity was provided for The Lighthouse Foundation to report on their work at the Families Outside Conference held in Autumn 2006 and part-funded by The Robertson Trust.