Page 18 - link magazine

Family News
Businesses called to help North family support
preschool As Swindon Council withdraws therapeutic groups where mothers

gymnastics funding from family support who have had suicidal thoughts,
self-harmed or experienced
work, Butterflies Family Centre
is becoming increasingly reliant depression and low mood, are
where an early on business to sustain its crucial invited to join a group for six weeks.
activities to help North Swindon
Whilst children are looked after in a
start makes a world families under pressure. crèche, the mums take part in craft
activities run by a specialist tutor. A
The Christmas party held at
of difference! Redhouse Community Centre counsellor also leads relaxation
is a good example where local sessions.
companies helped make the festive Ladies meet others in a similar
season special for a number of situation and don’t feel so alone
families. Over eighty 0 to 5 year with their issues; they make friends
olds and their carers participated in and start to meet each other
craft and musical activities before Tanya Parkinson independently.
enjoying a party and a visit to Santa courses and one to one support, as Tanya added: “We measure the
in his magical grotto. well as running groups and courses impact on mental health and the
The event was made possible by for 0 to 5 year olds and their carers, improvements are significant. From
a generous grant from Asda, whose in addition to fun events such as past courses, participants say things
Community Life Champion Kerry the Christmas party. like ‘it’s somewhere safe to go;
Switzer transformed into an elf “Supporting such projects is a very supportive; much, much, much
for the day. A team from Zurich great marketing and publicity needed.’”
fundraised as part of a Christmas opportunity; more importantly it is “Each group costs £500 to run,
challenge to provide presents and such a rewarding experience when so please donate to enable us to
decorations, and then helped out on company employees visit our centre organise another. If you or your
the day. and see first hand how the families business are able to help in any way,
Homebase also donated a tree and benefit from their funding.” please do get in touch on 01793
lights for the grotto. Currently Butterflies is seeking 722984.”
daily classes for the under 5’s Butterflies manager Tanya help to run another cycle of www.abbeymeads.swindon.sch.uk/
Parkinson said: “As well as getting butterflies
01793 822262 funding from grant applications The importance of
www.esprit-gymnastics.co.uk Butterflies Family Centre needs
businesses to help fund parenting taking time out

Information and advice for parents from Experts in Parenting Support

Being a parent is rewarding and your intuition; if you do not feel
challenging, but it is healthy to take comfortable then it is always best
time out now and then, switching to look for someone else.
off from everyday responsibilities, • If the babysitter is under 16, then
relaxing and recharging the you, as the parent, remain legally
batteries, writes ePIP consultant responsible for your own child’s
Lorraine. safety.
Valentine’s Day provides an • When taking a night off, leave
opportunity for those who may feel details of where you are going
labelled as just ‘Mummy’ or ‘Daddy’ and contact numbers with your
to reconnect as a couple. babysitter.
Strange as it may seem, there It’s also polite to leave a little
is no set age for leaving children something in the fridge for them
home alone. The law simply says to nibble on. Pay rates depend on a
you shouldn’t leave a child if they number of factors (an inexperienced
will be at risk. NSPCC advise that family friend is likely to charge
any child under 12 shouldn’t be left less than a qualified childcare
unsupervised and any child under professional), but the average is
16 shouldn’t be left alone overnight. between £6 and £10 per hour.
Here are a few tips to consider Safe children are happy children,
when looking for a babysitter: so don’t feel guilty about leaving
• The babysitter should be mature them in safe hands and enjoying
enough to handle any problems that some well-earned time out!
may arise. Ask them some important About - ePiP
questions - what would they do if ePiP provides a range of innovative
your child refused to go to bed, or and exciting parenting services.
became ill. They are already working with local
• Introduce them to your children employers, providing services for
days in advance, so they get to working parents, but will shortly
know each other before the first be launching a direct service which
babysitting session. will be accessible to all.
• Ask if you can speak to other Find out more at:
families they’ve babysat for. Follow www.epipdirect.com

18 swindonlink.com n February 2016