A charity that has supported families with children with additional support needs for the past 23 years has sadly had to close its doors.
Signpost began as a volunteer project in September 2000, run by a group of parents who started a help-line in a back room of founder Lesley Mount’s house, supported by a grant from the Millennium Commission.
It went from strength but pressures from the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis has lead to its closure.
And Lesley has warned that it won’t be the only charity that has to shut down in the face of increasing costs and a drop in donations.
The charity started out offering information about local services on the telephone and a chance to chat to parents who had been through similar experiences.
The volunteers used the knowledge they had gained from looking after their own children, and the information they had collected about local services.
After a successful year, Signpost became a charity funded by the National Lottery, Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland and Children in Need.
Lesley and Lindy Ling became the first co-managers, and in time the charity grew to five staff.
They had their work cut out to keep up with demand as word spread about Signpost and it was contacted by more and more families, until hundreds were receiving both practical and emotional support each year.
With the help of highly experienced and long-serving staff like Elizabeth Stevenson and Amanda Young, a whole generation of young people in West Lothian from toddlerhood to adulthood were helped to make the most of life and fulfil their potential.
During Signpost’s two decades, it won several awards.
The DSC Social Change Award was given for work with families of young people moving on from school and an NHS ‘Health Heroes’ award was presented for autism services.
However, its pioneering offer of free family passes to local attractions, for families whose children’s uncertain health often meant day trips were an expensive gamble, was by far the favourite innovation among the many that Signpost tried out, and has been widely copied.
The charity’s exclusive 10th anniversary party at Five Sisters’ Zoo was a night to remember for all who attended.
Signpost’s mission as always to support children from birth to 18 years old, as and when they needed it, to overcome the challenges caused by their disability. One family who benefited from this approach was Iona Wither and her two sons.
Iona said: “I knew just one call would help put my mind at ease and help guide me to the appropriate services needed and you didn’t disappoint, so a massive thank you for that.
“Twelve 12 years ago my Jack was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome from day one of his diagnosis signpost have been there to help, through advocacy I had the support I needed and the information I needed to get things right for Jack at school,
“They have been there when I needed to learn more about his diagnosis and through the getting through the day course I was able to see other people were going through the same as me and what help is out there, it was fantastic,
“There always there at the end of the phone or email, with a helping hand and a listening ear,
“Without Signpost I firmly believe my now 20 year old son would not be where he is now,
“Jack has after leaving high school moved on to do his HNC and HND in music industries, he is now qualified to teach music and is an amazing guitarist!
“He now lives independently supports himself with little help and has his own dog he looks after very well,
“If signpost had not supported us I truly believe we wouldn’t be where we are now.”
Now the charity has closed, staff have been working hard to ensure that all the knowledge and skills built up over the years is not lost to the community.
A new website is being created, which will hold information on all of the key topics that families ask about most regularly. Support for parent carers will still exist, and as Alison Wright, Chief Executive of Carers of West Lothian, explains: “Carers of West Lothian have worked together with Signpost over the last few years delivering joint Transitions Training to parent carers with the courses always being well received.
“Since announcing their closure, we have been working hard with them to ensure continuity of support for parent carers of young people with disabilities and will do all we can to support those families who would have turned to Signpost for support. Their service will be greatly missed.”
Founder and chief executive Lesley Mount said she wants to thank all the staff, trustees and supporters who have contributed to Signpost’s success over the years.
“She said: “I am proud to have been part of such a great team of people and to have made a difference to so many children’s lives.
“Although our charity is closing, I know that our families are very resourceful and will do their best for their children whatever the circumstances”.
Signpost’s website will remain online until at least 2025 (https://signpost-online.co.uk/ ) and Carers of West Lothian can be contacted on 01506 448000.
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