Milnthorpe Family Centre has been chosen to host the official re-launch of the county's children's centres next Wednesday (11 June).
The re-launch follows £19 million of commissioning by the council which means that, as well as providing a core set of services to children and families, the centres will also offer additional services that are needed in a given part of the county.
Milnthorpe Family Centre, the organisation which runs Milnthopre Children's Centre, is hosting the event after its name was drawn out of a hat.
The event at the family centre on Wednesday will celebrate the work being done by the four organisations providing the services at the children's centre - Barnardo’s, Howgill Family Centre, Milnthorpe Family Centre and NCH, the children's charity - along with the partnership work being carried out by childcare providers, Jobcentre Plus, the Primary Care Trust and the council's Children’s Services.
On the morning of re-launch day, there will be activities for 0-5s, displays featuring the work of the organisations providing services at the children's centre, tours of the children’s centre itself, and of Howgill’s Playbus.
This will be followed by the formal re-launch, and cake cutting, and then NCH and Barnardo's will host activities for older children - up to 11 - and further tours round the children's centre and playbus. Moira Swann, the county council’s Director of Children’s Services, and Councillor Jim Buchanan, Cabinet Member for Children’s Wellbeing, will be formally re-launching all of the county's centres at Milnthorpe at 1pm.
Jim Buchanan said:
"The county's children's centres are at the heart of our commitment towards integrating services for Cumbria's children and families.
"Building on the tremendous work that has already been achieved, the newly commissioned services will ensure that that there is the right amount and type of provision where it is needed.
"It is a tremendous example of how partnership working can provide real benefits and will help us in our task of making sure that all children across the county, wherever they live, are able to access the support they need."
Andy Blackman is the chair of Milnthorpe Family Centre. He said:
"Having been responsible for the development of the services from Milnthorpe Children’s Centre for the past few years, as a local community-based charitable organisation, the trustees and staff of Milnthorpe Family Centre are delighted to have been chosen to host the county's children’s centres' launch.
"The day will be a great opportunity for all providers and partner organisations to showcase to local families the services they offer. Hosting the launch in Milnthorpe will also give us the chance to raise awareness of issues around rural deprivation and show what can be done in these areas to reach children, young people and their families."
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Note
Milnthorpe Family Centre, Milnthorpe Primary School, Firs Road, Milnthorpe on Wednesday 11 June. The times of events are:
12 -1pm activities for 0-5s
1-2pm formal re-launch and cake cutting
2-3pm activities for older children
If you would like to speak to somebody from your area who has been involved with the re-launch locally, and arrange a tour of the local children's centre, please contact the following people:
ALLERDALE AND COPELAND AREAS
Nicki Pennington, Team Leader for Children’s Centres and Extended Services, Cumbria County Council.
Telephone 07966 111864
MARYPORT, ASPATRIA, SILLOTH, WIGTON
Richard Simpson, Assistant Director Children’s Services, Barnardo’s
016973 71741
WORKINGTON, MILLOM, DISTINGTON, KESWICK
John Postlethwaite, Assistant Director Children’s Services, NCH, the children's charity
01925 715380
WHITEHAVEN, FRIZINGTON, CLEATOR MOOR:
Russell Norman, Chief Executive, Howgill Family Centre
01946 62681
CARLISLE AND EDEN AREAS
Sophie Brookes, Team Leader for Children’s Centres and Extended Services, Cumbria County Council.
07825 340447
CARLISLE AREA, ALSTON, KIRKBY THORE: Barnardo's, contact as above.
SOUTH LAKES AREA
Pauline Grabek, Team Leader for Children’s Centres and Extended Services, Cumbria County Council
07825 103596
AMBLESIDE: Barnardo’s, contact as above
MILNTHORPE AND GRANGE: Andy Blackman, chair,
015395 64896
ULVERSTON: NCH, the children's charity, contact as above
BARROW AREA
Laura Merkelt, Team Leader for Children’s Centres and Extended Services, Cumbria County Council 07825 340449 BARROW DISTRICT INC. DALTON: NCH, the children's charity, contact as above
Children's centres have been developed as 'one stop shops' for parents - a place where they can get help and information on services in their local area for both themselves and their children. The services they offer include:
- good quality early learning combined with day care
- child and family health services
- family support services
- a base for a childminder network
- links with Jobcentre Plus to support parents/carers who are considering training or employment
- drop in sessions and other activities for children and carers.
Howgill Family Centre manages sites in Whitehaven, Egremont, Frizington and Cleator Moor.
Milnthorpe Family Centre manages the site in Milnthope and will manage sites in Grange over Sands in the next phase of development of children's centres.