Page 18 - link magazine

18 The Link Magazine • July 2006 Free classifieds now available
Family Centre Tardis prepares for community regeneration
With so many services on offer at the West Swindon Family and Community Project in Freshbrook, manager Julie Batson thinks that it may
need to be rechristened the Tardis.
She is not far off the mark. Out- and a new child care manager are
wardly 'the house,' as it is known being recruited to make the centre
locally, is an ordinary 1980s four a 'one stop shop' for family serv-
bedroom property. But since mov- ices said Julie Batson who is look-
ing to 15 Gainsborough Way in ing forward to the changes.
1986 it has been extended to the "The trustees, staff and volun-
side and rear to provide meeting teers are all very excited that Swin-
rooms, play areas and creche don Council approached us to be
spaces, in addition to offices on the the first Children's Centre for West
upper floor. Swindon. In the past funding has
Now 24 years old, and like Dr limited our activities beyond the
Who, the project is to regenerate house, but as a Children's Centre
on 1 July to become the town's we will do lots of outreach work to
fourth Children's Centre, in part- put us in touch with more families
nership with Swindon Council's across the area.
Children's Services. "Some people may be happier
Unlike those in Penhill, Walcot to use groups in their own neigh-
Trustees and staff at 'the house.' Standing Beris Drew, Sue Green, Brian Senior,
and Central Swindon where users Tracy Peck, Gulab Shah, chairman, Rev Stephen Skinner, Sarah Battershall, Niki bourhood whilst others will prefer
go to the Children's Centre, the Hillier. Front, Gossiya Hameed to come to the house. This arrange-
West Swindon model will be a hub ment gives parents choice as to
for family service across Toothill, Westlea, whilst groups and activi- with community rooms, as will the how we can work with them on
Freshbrook and Westlea. ties for parents and children are to new primary in Freshbrook - if the childcare and development issues
The house will provide an ex- be developed at community build- decision is made to close and com- and provide support and advice
panded range of support to fami- ings across the area and in primary bine Windmill Hill and Freshbrook with any difficulties."
lies. Childcare will be arranged schools. schools. Call 871303 for details of family
through Headstarts Nursery at Toothill Primary is to be rebuilt More family support workers support worker vacancies.

West Swindon Children's Centre - working with parents to improve children's life chances
Julie Batson explains how the new facility will develop
• The West Swindon Family and What is meant by Early Years? Will you still be able to get advice
Community Project is managed by The Children's Centre will pro- on benefits etc? We will continue
a Board of Trustees made up of vide creches to support adult to run our established advice point
West Swindon residents and rep- groups as well as some pre-nurs- service which covers welfare ben-
resentatives from local businesses. ery groups. We will have up-to efits, housing issues, tax credits,
We will also have stakeholders date information on childminders DLA's, financial/debt advice.
from health services and schools. in our area and their vacancies. We What about education and em-
• Children's Centres are part of will be linked to Headstarts Nurs- ployment? We will be working
the Government's Sure Start Pro- ery in Westlea which will offer day closely with Job Centre Plus who
gramme and are at the heart of the care for children if parents wish to will host job clubs/self-help
Every Child Matters: Change for Chil- i 4 return to work. groups, as well as providing ad-
dren agenda. This is the key vehi- Children's Centre manager Julie Batson What groups will there be for chil- vice on employment and training
cle for providing services that fami- and deputy manager Alison Lowe dren: T ere will be some a ter opportunities. We will also be able
f
h
will
lies need and will play a central training; 5 Family support; 6 Em- school groups as well as holiday to offer basic skills training and
role in improving outcomes for all ployment; 7 Advice, play schemes. family learning opportunities by
young children. working in conjunction with the
• Families living within the Health services will be coordi- Will you be able to offer parenting college, local training providers
Toothill, Freshbrook and Westlea nated: ante-natal groups and baby support and advice? We will be and Swindon Council.
areas will be able to access the clinics, child health support, working very closely with health
following services through the speech and language develop- visitors to offer parenting advice When will the services come into
Children's Centre: ment, breast feeding groups, health and support on child health and play? Although we become a Chil-
1 Health; 2 Early Years' develop- promotion, healthy eating groups development issues - in groups and dren's Centre on 1 July, many serv-
ment; 3 Children; 4 Education and and smoking cessation groups. individually. ices will be developed over the
next six months and will come on-
line by 1 January 2007.
Music For more information: New health
groups, parenting sessions and
drop-in activities will be publicised
s
Bugs through primary schools, via
health and social workers, in leaf-
fun music sessions for children lets and in The Link if appropriate.
aged 6 months - preschool
The Children's Centre can be con-
Singing, bubbles, puppets, scarves, pool
pours, hobby horses, teddies, parachutes, tacted at 15 Gainsborough Way,
and lots of fun and noise! Freshbrook, Swindon SN5 8PD.
Tel: 871303 or via e-mail:
Classes every day of the week in
Abbey Meads, Ramleaze, Peatmoor, [email protected]
Space Adventure & Wootton Bassett
What about Shaw, Nine Elms,
free trial sessions/no joining fee Peatmoor and Sparcells?
Swindon Council is proposing to
Call Claire on (01793) 722072 open a second Children's Centre
www.musicbugs.co.uk in the West at the Salt Way Pri-
mary School site in 2007.