26 November 2008

John Prescott MP to open new children centre - PHOTOCALL

Estcourt Children Centre will be officially opened by John Prescott MP on Friday 21st November. The centre, based at Estcourt Primary School, has been up and running since September, offering a range of facilities and activities for families in the East area of the city.

Children centres are the first, local port of call for all families with children, whether they need advice or support on their child health, development or care, or help with the day to day challenges that face parents in the early years of bringing up a child.

Estcourt Children Centre offers a range of facilities including a child health clinic, midwifery services, toddler groups and baby massage, as well as career advice for parents, training courses, CV writing and yoga classes.

In addition to all this, there are plans to start more courses in the new year including children keep fit, dietary advice for children and parents, adult keep fit, computer courses, English and Maths courses, healthy eating and slimming.

From January a Job Centre worker will also be based at the centre as part of Hull City Council partnership pilot with Jobcentre plus. The worker will be able to work closely with families in the local area to help them find work and training.

Councillor Christine Randall, lead member for Hull City Council children and young people services, said:

Children centres offer a local point of contact for families with young children in Hull, and make it easier for them to access a range of help and support services in one place.

By 2010 every local community will have access to a children centre, which is a vital part of making our services more accessible to families.”

Families are welcome to visit the centre for a tour and to meet the friendly team. For further information please call the Families Information Service on (01482) 318318.