Page 2 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • May 2000
With teenage pregnancies in Britain the highest in Europe,
and Swindon having higher than average levels,
a lunch club to support young mums is being relaunched
Eating meetings for teenage mothers
Michelle Sutton, now 28, had her first child at 17 when she was in care.
A,RMIN WINDOWS Suddenly taking on adult responsibilities was very hard she says, but
we a3-e justifiably proud of the being able to join The Grub Club support group at the West Swindon
quality of our products and Family and Community Project helped her cope.
our reputation for reliable
service and attention to detail. Now she wants to o : They suddenly change
provide support for . from being a child to
young mums under `` an adult and they have
the age of 21 by re- no experience of car-
starting a lunch club ing for a baby. Their
that has been closed parents often help
for four years. them, but teenagers
The Grub Club ran ' can become cut off
for five years in the f from their friends and
early 1990s, but shut feel resentful at losing
for lack of funding. Mic . , j; Sutton with their freedom."
For further information on her .t tgstest child
our full range of PVGU doors, Now a grant has been Sh on, 4, _ - From her experience
windows and conservatories received from the Michelle knows that
supplied by Coastal, one of Wiltshire Commu- young mums require
the country's largest trade nity Foundation to pay for a free support specific to their age group.
manufacturers, please call now. creche and Michelle is keen for The Grub Club will meet on a
teenagers to join her. Thursday lunch time at the family
"The Grub Club was a life saver project in Freshbrook where mem-
kMIN AUTH RISED DEALER for me when my first child was bers will help prepare a meal to-
small," said Michelle, who became
gether. They will also suggest who
3 Overton Gardens, a volunteer with the family project might be invited to discuss issues
7NDOWS Stratton St. Margaret, after the club closed. "I've dreamt which affect young parents, such
Swindon SN3 4LZ
Telephone: 01793 824419 about restarting the Grub Club for as child care and making benefit
a long time and when we applied claims, and also organise social
• SOFT- ITS FASCIAS GUTTF RING •
for a grant, the foundation remem- activities and outings.
bered me from last time. If you have a child and are un-
"It's a shock for girls who get der 21, call the West Swindon Fam-
pregnant, for whatever reason. ily Project on 871303.