Page 41 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • March 2004 33
North Swindon Centre supports families in Abbey Meads
The February Link featured the North Swindon Family Centre service which provides assistance to 1,
youngsters who have difficulty adjusting to the classroom environment. The centre has a team of trained
workers based at Atworth Close, Penhill - a few yards from Woodsman Road, Abbey Meads - providing "
specialist help and counselling, and organising a range of drop-in sessions.
Amongst the most popular of families with children up to ten
All other valances,
their drop-ins is the Abbey Meads years. WI meetings
Coffee Stop which is open every For older children, the NSPCC R-blinds. London, etc
Tootleabrook WI welcomes
Wednesday, 9.30am to 11.30am at has provided a web site, women of all ages at its monthly Free measuring "ations
the Church of Christ the Servant in www.There4me.com, to help them meetings held at Toothill Corn- Full fitting service available
Handmade footstools to order
the village centre, welcoming par- find solutions to their problems munity Centre. Re-upholstery of dining chairs, foam
ents and pre-school children for with on screen advice on topics cut to size, leatherette. cloth & table coverings
On Wednesday 17 March,
chat and play. Advisors are on like bullying, relationships, exams,
7.30pm, Bridget Partridge will talk
hand to discuss problems which drugs and difficulties at home.
about English cheeses.
any individual may wish to raise The family centre is run and In April Cilla Slipper will speak
y
and when appropriate families can funded b the NSPCC, with grant
about Swindon - A Town of Sur-
be referred for more special-
prises. 1 Apsley House Arcade, Wootton Bassett
ist help. A mobile toy library
DetailsfromJeanBrockon539456.
visits on alternate Wednes-
days.
Demand virtually outstrips
North S
windon
the ability to accommodate Faintly Centre
everyone wishing to 'drop in' " • Over 2,500 sq. ft. of
which leads family centre products for the Artist,
team manager, Garry Holmes Crafter and Student
to bemoan the lack of facili-
D.M.C. Main Agency
ties in North Swindon. "With
Daylight Lamps Stockist
alternative venues, we could
Picture Framing
welcome and assist more
DIY Framing Supplies
families," he points out.
The needs of fathers are no Well worth a visit. Try us!
and a special drop-
in session takes place at the Framework Art & Craft
Pinehurst People's Centre on 63 Pembroke Centre
Cheney Manor Trading Estate
Thursdays, 12.30pm t
Swindon SN2 2PQ
Gary Holmes with family support worker Tel/Fax: (01793) 513069
Here dads can meet others, Jan Davidson and adminstrator Barbara
Phone for directions. Parking.
find activities for their chil- Hm 1 li ffe
e is
dren and get information
about family issues. Fathers not support from Swindon Council

able to make a mid-week date are and Sure Start. For more informa LIGHTING BUG
welcome to turn up at Atworth tion drop into the Coffee Stop or
FACTORY WAREHOUSE
Close on the first Saturday of the call 705810 or mail: nswindon
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
month, l2noon to 2pm, when'Sat- @nspcc.org.uk
urday for Dads' provides similar Details can also be found at Units 16/17 Westmead Industrial Estate, Swindon
opportunities for them to compare www.commtmigate.co.uk/wilts/ Tel: (01793) 616018
notes with other fathers whilst northswindonfamilycentre i www.lightingbug.co.uk FREE CAR PARKING MWELCOME
enjoying a bacon butty.
The need for specific assistance Free childcare • Probably the widest selection of lighting in Wiltshire
for individual families is often de- • Affordable prices
tected at drop-in sessions, but the until end of March Ceiling fans
centre does receive referrals from Jobseeksers who are customers
the health, education and social of Jobcentre Plus, living in the • Special discounted
services. Swindon Council area qualify for prices
Garry encourages parents to a week's free 'taster' session of • Made to measure shades
approach the centre for help."Self- childcare.
in your own fabric
referral is very important. Not all Sue Pearson for the Swindon
families in need ofassistancecome Early Years' Development and • Over 700 fittings to
into contact with the statutoryserv- Childcare Partnership said that choose from
ices in the normal course of their many parents think twice about • Special requirements/
lives, returning to work because they
"There has been an increase in may have concerns about using alterations catered for
the demand for help and support formalchildcarefacilities,orworry • Our service to you is
because of the increase in the stress that their child will not settle, es- paramount
,
r
.-.c br ' mgmg up ch l r d ren, par '.t pecia y if ft e , ha re io slv u y
11
'.-p
larly when family breakdown and only left their children with family If you cannot find what
financial problems are factors. We or friends. you are looking for
try to be the first point of call, give "This is a wonderful opportu- we will try our best
the families help or refer them on nity for parents who use Jobcentre to find it for you!
when more specialist advice is re- Plus to see for themselves the com-
quired. We also try to provide ven- mitment, care and professionalism Open:
ues where children can come and of Swindon's childcare organisa-
play and talk." tions." Monday to Saturday 9.30am
An open day on Saturday 15 Customers must first speak to to 5.30pm
May is being planned so that the an advisor at the Swindon Jobcen- Bank Holidays 10am to 4pm
th
f
centre can promote rts services or tre e ore using e service.
b f