A new programme has been launched to help parents in West Dunbartonshire improve their employability skills.

Delivered by local charity Tullochan, Positive Pathways for Parents offers free support for long-term unemployed and low-income parents to help them into employment.

The programme is the first of its kind in the area and is delivered after school, providing free food at Tullochan's Social Enterprise café The Common Good, with free childcare from the youth team.

The programme is the first of its kind in the area (Image: Tullochan) Parents can also earn a REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene qualification and receive a £50 supermarket voucher upon course completion.

The first group of parents completed their course over the October holiday, with feedback describing the training as "very well" delivered in an "informal and comfortable environment".

One parent said: "I was anxious about the childcare provision, but had no reason to be - everything was well thought out."

The course is delivered in local schools, and interested parents can contact Amanda Black, the training academy manager, for eligibility details.

Tullochan, established in 1996, has been a key player in delivering programmes for young people, families, and the local community.

The programme provides free childcare from the youth team (Image: Tullochan) In the past year, the charity's Training Academy supported 246 young people, 241 of whom have since moved into further education, employment, or training.

A visit from The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland team recently marked the 30th birthday of the fund, which has donated £1.3 million to Tullochan over the years for various projects.

The visit included Kate Still, chair of The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, who met with Richie Gallacher, the chief executive of Tullochan, to discuss the impact of the charity's programmes on the local community.