A father who was left homeless has been reunited with his daughters after help from a Govan charity.

Abibo Lima, 41, was sleeping in his car after his marriage broke down.

He moved to Scotland from Portugal in 2019 with his partner and their two young daughters.

Everything was going well until relationship problems started.

They sought counselling from the local charity Govan HELP, but eight months ago, their relationship broke down completely, forcing Abibo to leave the family home.

Abibo and his daughters (Image: The National Lottery Community Fund) He turned to Govan HELP again for support.

He said: "I have two daughters aged 11 and eight years old.

"I hadn’t seen them in eight months. It was very hard.

"I felt angry that I couldn’t see my daughters, anxious about my future and I was struggling with managing my diabetes.

"Amanda at Govan HELP supported me with everything I needed to find my way again.

"Amanda used to check in on me and my wellbeing. Amanda constantly called my caseworker to ask if there was a house for me and finally there was.

"She helped me get everything I needed to make my house a home.

"Then she arranged for my girls to visit me. The day I was reunited with my girls was a very, very emotional day.

"I was like a new father at first, like they had just been born."

Thanks to the charity's help, Abibo's daughters now stay overnight at his flat very Thursday and Friday.

He said: "They don’t feel like strangers to me anymore and I know that they feel at home. I’m so happy.

"It’s so hard to find a home without help, I didn’t know where to start or where to get information so without Amanda really I don’t know where I would be.

"I’d probably still be homeless."

Govan HELP, which is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, recently received a grant of £298,500 to continue empowering families to overcome challenges.

They offer early intervention services such as family support, play therapy, counselling, volunteering, and training opportunities.

The community fund has now launched a new £166 million funding stream focusing on building the strengths of people and communities in greatest need.

Community groups across the country can now apply to share the funds.

Kate Still, Scotland chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We’re delighted to open these new funding programmes which were developed with and for Scotland’s essential community and voluntary sector.

“Over the next five years we want to support activity that inspires community action and leads to fairer life chances for those most vulnerable in our society.”

Groups with funding ideas are encouraged to get in touch by email at advicescotland@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk, or by phone on 0300 123 7110.