A DAD from Port Glasgow who lost his job put his skills to good use by volunteering for an Inverclyde children’s charity that supports his disabled son.

Gary Payne, 35, was made redundant two years ago and after studying social care at college he decided to put his new skills to use at Greenock-based Barnardo’s Family Support Team.

He said he had to get involved because he was blown away by the help given to his son Connor, who has Asperger’s, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cerebral palsy.

The eight-year-old, pictured with local support worker Stephanie Lavelle, is a pupil at St Michael’s Primary but spends a lot of time at the centre in Greenock’s Terrace Road — and has come on leaps and bounds according to his dad.

Gary said: “Connor has been coming here since November and has a great relationship with the staff.

“The service is absolutely brilliant and it’s been a big help, especially for his social skills.

“It also helps give him some time away from me, his mum and wee brother Lucas because he spends the majority of his time with us.

“I got involved because I got made redundant and went to college and saw what they were doing for him so I wanted to give something back to help another child they way they have helped Connor.” Barnardo’s works with around 45 families each week but they want to support even more.

The charity is also on the lookout for more volunteers to help deliver their wide range of valuable services to children, young people and their families.

Jackie Given, service manager, said: “The service has been in Inverclyde since 1997.

“We work with children with a disability right across the whole local authority area.

“We are funded by Inverclyde CHCP and Barnardo’s itself and provide a range of different services — activity sessions, music and drama and sensory groups.

“Some children we work with one-to-one and others as part of a group, but it’s decided as part of the child’s care plan.

“Most importantly, the groups are all full of fun.

“We want to let more families know about the services and also try to bring in more volunteers and sessional staff to help deliver current and new services.” Support worker Janice Williams added: “We support children with disabilities, as some are so isolated outwith school hours.” For more information about the Family Support Team call 892114.