Glasgow secures funding extension for Whole Family Support Programme in GP Practices (WFSGP)

Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) has secured continued funding from the Scottish Government’s Whole Family Wellbeing Fund, enabling a key family support initiative to run until March 2027.

The funding, allocated under Element 3 of the national programme, will support the ongoing delivery of the Whole Family Support through General Practice (WFSGP) programme across 12 GP practices. Additionally, funding secured through the new Tackling Child Poverty Plan will enable the expansion of the initiative to a further 12 GP practices until March 2029, significantly widening access to family support services across Glasgow.

The programme aims to strengthen early intervention efforts and improve outcomes for families by providing accessible, community-based support where it is needed most.

Delivered in partnership with third sector organisation Includem, the programme currently employs six full-time Family Wellbeing Workers (FWWs) across participating practices, with each worker supporting two GP Practices.

Since the service was launched in November 2024, demand has remained consistently high, with referrals accepted from across GP practice teams.

FWWs provide practical and emotional support to families, including parents, carers, and children. They play a key role in connecting people to a wide range of services, including financial and welfare advice, food support, trauma-informed services and access to community-based activities through Glasgow Life’s Live Well programme.

FWWs work alongside the well-established Community Links Workers and with Family Finance Advisors, who contribute to the enhanced financial inclusion element of the service. FWWs support families in accessing a suite of free wraparound services including activities offered through Glasgow Life such as gym memberships, library services and support for children to access community clubs and activities. Additionally, FWWs have direct referral pathways to food insecurity support through Thrive Under 5 and Trauma Support Services.

Kenna Campbell, Health Improvement Lead: Whole Family Wellbeing Fund in Primary Care said: “An independent evaluation of the pilot, led by the University of Glasgow, is currently underway. The study is examining how Family Wellbeing Workers integrate into general practice teams and the impact of their work, drawing on interviews with staff, multidisciplinary teams and families who have accessed support.

“Early findings point to very strong engagement, with most families referred to the service choosing to take up support. Embedding the service within GP practices has proven particularly effective, offering a familiar and discreet environment that encourages people to seek help.”

One parent who accessed the service described the impact of having someone to talk to during a difficult time: “Where I was in such a rut, I felt like everything I was doing was wrong. With the wellbeing worker, I just think they have been an absolute godsend because they are somebody to speak to. They just listened to you and never judged you.”