Information on Loughborough

Brand new childrens centres to open in Charnwood

Posted on 04/11/2008

Photo Opportunity

Four brand new childrens centres offering one-stop shops for parents and pre-school children are opening in Charnwood.

Over £1.75 million has been spent on the facilities which bring together services such as libraries, health, the Family Information Service, voluntary organisations and other advice and information sevices under one roof.

The centres will offer a wide range of local activities and services for pre-school children and their families including:

- child and family health support

- play and stay sessions

- baby massage

- parent and child reading sessions

- parenting courses

- training and employment support

- toy library

The launch is at Loughborough West Childrens Centre in Regent Street next Wednesday (12th November) between 1pm and 3pm.  Childrens activities including story telling, arts and crafts and book bags will be available and parents can find out about services on offer.

As well as the new buildings, activities and information will be available through a series of events within local communities including church halls, schools and community centres. There will also be a number of staff able to offer advice and guidance to parents on a one-to-one basis in their homes or at local venues.

Ivan Ould, the County Councils Cabinet Member for the Children and Young Peoples Service, said: "This is a major development which has been achieved by so many organisations sharing a common goal. The centres are focused on their local area to ensure children and their families will have the services they need on their doorstep.”

Cllr. Jane Hunt from Charnwood Borough Council said: "We are very happy to be working with the County Council on services for children, young people and their families. The children’s centres are fantastic facilities for their local areas and we were particularly pleased that Charnwood had so many of the key sites in phase one of the roll out across the county. We wish the children’s centres in Charnwood every success and look forward to working with the County Council to support and further develop them for the future.”

Parents can find more information on children centre services by contacting the Family Information Service on 0116 305 6545 or emailing family@leics.gov.uk.

The new centres are part of a £16million county-wide programme which will see 42 created across Leicestershire by 2010. The project is a joint initiative involving Leicestershire County Council, district and borough councils, health services, the voluntary sector and other agencies.

Photo Opportunity:

Reporters and photographers are invited to the opening of the Loughborough West Children’s Centre, Loughborough Children’s & Family Centre, Regent Street, Loughborough, LE11 5BA next Wednesday (12th) between 1pm and 3pm. Reporters will be able to interview/ photograph councillors, officers and parents as well as have a look round the centre.

Notes:

Three children centres have already been opened in Shelthorpe and Cobden Loughborough and Warren Hills in Coalville.

Other openings planned in the Charnwood area are;

Thurmaston SureStart Children’s Centre - 29/10/2008, 12pm - 2pm

(Eastfield Primary School)

Eastfield Road

Thurmaston, LE4 8FP

 

Shepshed SureStart Children’s Centre - 3/11/2008, 12pm - 2pm

(At the Oaks Centre)

Forest Street

Shepshed

Loughborough LE12 9BD

 

Mountsorrel SureStart Children’s Centre - 10/11/2008, 1pm - 3pm

(Christ Church & St Peters C of E Primary School)

Rothley Road

Mountsorrel, LE12 7JU

 

There are six new centres opening in Hinckley and Bosworth Borough, seven in North West Leicestershire District and one in Melton Borough.