New Sure Start Childrens Centre for Southchurch

[Gina73]

Recently found out about this place on the South East Essex PCT website, thought it might be of interest to some of you. (Sorry if it has already been posted)

A new Sure Start Children's Centre for Southchurch
08 Jan 2010

A brand new Sure Start Children’s Centre will be opening later in 2010 offering health and family support services for all children aged 0 to 19 in the Southchurch area. It will join the new Leigh and West Leigh Children’s Centres as the third Children’s Centre managed by NHS South East Essex to open in the Borough since October 2009.

The Hamstel Children and Family Centre will be situated next door to Hamstel Infant and Nursery School and the Hamstel Junior School on Hamstel Road in Southchurch. Building work on the new centre has already commenced, and from the 19 January 2010, services will operate on a temporary basis from the nearby Whittingham Avenue Methodist Church on Whittingham Avenue and transfer to the new centre on completion.

To celebrate the service launch, an informal Open House Event will be taking place at Whittingham Church Hall on the 15 January from 11:30 am until 4:00 pm on a drop-in basis. Light refreshments will be available from 12:30 pm. Activities will be also be provided free of charge for children attending with their parents. The event will be open to all and is free to attend.

The Open House Event will provide an exciting opportunity for both parents and service professionals to meet the team who will be responsible for running the Hamstel Children and Family Centre, find out more about what the new centre has to offer and to leave any comments or suggestions they may have. The centre has been specifically designed to support the needs of the local community and feedback from ongoing consultations will play a vital role in determining the future development of child and family services at the centre.

The new centre is part of a ground-breaking Government initiative to ensure that every child has the best start in life, and will provide access to high quality seamless health and advisory services under one roof. All services will be open to families with babies and children up to the age of 19.
The Hamstel Children and Family Centre will provide access to the following services:

· advice and support for parents and carers
· child and family health services, from health visitors to breastfeeding support
· crèche facilities, play and early learning for babies and toddlers and family learning
· help in finding child care, employment and training, including links with Jobcentre Plus
· family fun and a place to meet friends

Speaking about the new children’s centre, Sarah St Pierre, Director Children, Young People and Families for NHS South East Essex said:

“I wish the Hamstel Children and Family Centre every success. By giving young children access to high quality integrated care and early education and support, Sure Start is helping to improve their life chances and unlock their potential. Good, affordable and accessible childcare also enables parents to take up work, education or training and this has a knock-on effect in reducing child poverty.That is why the Government is committed to ensuring that every child has the best start in life and families in every community have access to a children's centre”.

Families wanting to know more about the new Hamstel Children and Family Centre should contact Imelda Callowhill, Children’s Centre Co-ordinator, on 0771 2095401.

[weezypops]

Thanks Gina!

[Jenn]

I went to the opend day on the 15th and also to first weigh and stay session on the 19th! It was nice to meet other mums and to let WIlliam run around, play and make stuff. Planning to go there regularly and can't wait for it to open officially!