Post a new message ‘…Sure Start, it’s been brilliant !’ What can I say about my experience with Sure Start, it's been brilliant. I first started taking my son to the very first playgroup in the school hall and it went from there. I then became a Parent Partner where I attended very informal meetings about the Centre, where parents get to have their say about what they wanted from the Centre. Any parent is welcome and we'd love to see more of you, even if you don't want to say anything, still come along, listen and have a cuppa. I'm sure after a few meetings you'll feel part of the family. I say family because that's exactly the way the staff make you feel. The training courses are also excellent from courses to help you understand your children better to courses that you can do with your family and friends, health-wise and craft. I have done reflexology, aromatherapy and Indian head massage and from all of these I learnt different ways to look after my family. Cake decorating is another course I have done which I enjoyed very much. After this course I decorated my children's birthday cakes, which I was quite proud of. And all of this is thanks to Sure Start, so I would like to say a great BIG THANK YOU because if it wasn't for them I wouldn't know half the things I know now and have made the friends I have made. Joanne Leonard (Biddick Hall & Whiteleas Parent Partner) Reply to this message From Parent to Staff Member My name is Dawn Forster and I'm the Information Officer for Biddick Hall & Whiteleas Sure Start. I began working at the Centre in October 2005, but joined the Centre as a parent in July 2004. I have 3 year old twin daughters and as any parent of twins will tell you, you get double the joy but also double the trouble. So when I saw a poster in the window of one of the shops at Whiteleas Way advertising a parents coffee morning, with creche, I took down the telephone number and rang the Centre as soon as I got home. I spoke to Mandy, the Community Development Worker, who invited me along to the next meeting. When I got there, I found another 2 parents with twins and I enjoyed chatting to them for an hour whilst my daughters were looked after in the nursery. Mandy asked me whether I would like to join the Parent Network group, which meant I could be involved in what happens at the Centre. I jumped at the chance and every fortnight went along to meet with other parents, whilst the children were in the creche, to discuss what we would like to have happen at the Centre. My daughters were fine whilst I was in the Parent Network meetings, I never had any worries about leaving them in the capable hands of the nursery staff. My daughters still talk about the staff with great affection. I also attended a lot of training courses through Sure Start such as reflexology, aromatherapy, Hand & Arm Massage, Let's Talk Parenting and Play in the Kitchen which benefits not just myself but my family too. Attending these courses built up my confidence and without attending the Centre I honestly don't think I would have ever thought I had the confidence to apply for a job such as this. My daughters have thrived and I believe the Children's Centre played a big part in that, in helping getting them used to being without me as well as offering advice on everything from health issues to help with their speech and development. We also attended many of the trips on offer and we went to places we wouldn't normally have been able to get to, as I didn't drive at the time, all at a reasonable cost. I draw upon my experience of using the Centre as a parent when I'm giving out information in my role as Information Officer and believe I can give honest answers to any queries about the services Sure Start offer, because I have used the facilities as a parent, not just as a member of staff. Dawn Forster Reply to this message 'Nappy Days' at Primrose Village My name is Lynn and my daughter Ellie is aged 22 months and I have been going to Primrose Children's Centre for nearly 2 years. We started with Infant Massage classes, then went on to Baby Bounce which has now been extended to the Nappy Days group for toddlers. We look forward to Friday afternoons as we both get a lot out of the group. Everyone is so friendly and Doreen, who runs the group, is so helpful and enthusiastic. Every week Doreen has something new for the children to enjoy; from painting to gluing, foam, sand and water play. All of the children love to muck in and it also gives the parents ideas to play at home. There are lots of toys to play with so everyone joins in and has a good time. We finish off with a sing-song and an update on all of the new things available at the Centre. We would all like to say a big 'Thank You' to Doreen and staff for bringing the group together and giving us the opportunity to make such lovely friends. Lynn Magee (Primrose Parent) Reply to this message Primrose Children's Centre From the moment we give birth we have the importance of routine and consistency drummed into us. However, as we strive to create some order in our otherwise hectic lives, it is often easy to become set in our ways without realising it. We go to the same playgroups on the same day each week, sit with the same people to talk about the same things. Yet our children have the innate ability to make friends, play and have fun together without even knowing each other. They often require no introductions and build friendships that last, initially based on little more than being thrust together in a hall full of toys and being told to ‘play’. Perhaps we parents should take a leaf out of their book and get back to basics. For us to make new friends we need to heave ourselves out of our safe, familiar routine, be flexible and enjoy freedom from the same old timetable. Ask yourself each day; if you’re happy with your plans or, as creatures of habit, it has simply become the norm? If you really want a social life as full, varied and interesting as your children’s, then why not try doing one new thing each week? It could be something you can enjoy apart or together. Primrose Children’s Centre has lots to offer local families. There are coffee mornings most Fridays with activities, toys and free refreshments for everyone. They are an ideal way to introduce yourself and your child(ren) to a new group, if you are a new parent, new to the area or just haven’t been before. They are very relaxed, friendly and informal with new people coming along regularly. There are free training courses available for parents to do with crèche facilities, giving you and your family the chance to interact independently with similar age groups and interests. There are also regular groups such as infant massage, Jiggle & Wiggle and Let’s Get Messy sessions to name a few. A soft play area, multi sensory room, café, library and clothing exchange are also open for everyone to use at leisure. The Sure Start staff and the Parent Network are constantly striving to identify potential needs within our community to offer parents new ways of giving our children experiences that will give them a happy, positive childhood to remember. We already offer discounted tickets for swimming and leisure facilities in South Tyneside and are in the process of compiling our summer activities agenda and ‘Making Friends’ booklet. They are both aimed at providing affordable opportunities for parents to meet with their children. During those dreaded long summer holidays, when kids frequently complain of boredom we spend a small fortune on expensive entry fees for days out, fast food and ice creams and pray for September to come. Although, all children really need – is what we had! Take a wander down memory lane, back to our own childhood holidays, when our mums and dads had more time and less money. Sunny days out at the park or beach with a picnic or rainy days splodging in wellies whilst grown-ups groaned about the shameful weather – what a great time we had. I have very fond memories of summer days and we were always hard up! As parents we are frequently reminded to educate and stimulate our children and ourselves but maybe we should all make more time for good old fashioned fun! Check out what Primrose has on offer in the holidays for weather; nice and nasty, and I can guarantee there will be something for everyone and September will be here before you know it! The best things in life really are free…… Penny Bassett Primrose Parent June 2006 Penny Bassett Reply to this message Primrose Village Newsletter My name is Judith Howey and I am a school nurse in Jarrow and Hebburn. I have recently accessed the monthly newsletter and have to say it made good reading. How I wish there had been something like that when my children were small. It can be a lonely life being a mum to young children if you let it. Some people aren't very good mixers and making the first move and going to such a group is such a huge step. Well done to everyone involved, I wish I didn't work full time, I would call in, it all sounds so good. Judith Howey Reply to this message Riverside Dads' Group Thank goodness for ‘Dads’ Group’. Everything was okay at first, the safe and joyful arrival of a happy baby girl that any mum and dad would be proud of. Unfortunately, in our case, post natal depression was to set in and make its presence felt in the most devastating of ways and we were ill prepared. Plenty of professional help of course; G.P., Health Visitor, Social Worker and all attention, naturally enough, focused on mum with dad somewhat bewildered by it all and left on the sidelines. By chance someone mentioned a new dads group, not my sort of thing really but I went along. I now consider myself fortunate that I did. Because despite all the very good professional help, I can honestly say that the help that made the most difference to myself was that found at the Dads’ Group. Talking to other dads who were living through similar trauma and relief that I was not suffering alone. So thank goodness for Dads’ Group. I would urge any new or expectant dad to call in. I would urge any new or expectant mum to encourage their partners to call in, it might just make a difference to you. Ian Robertson Riverside Parent Reply to this message Sure Start Help Appreciated I am writing to thank Sure Start All Saints for the tremendous, positive impact that the dedicated team have had on the lives of myself and my family. Having given up work to look after my son, I felt lonely and isolated. I knew nobody and found that locally there was nowhere to take my new baby. I became involved with Sure Start in August last year after a visit by one of their health visitors when my son was four months old. Since becoming members, we have enjoyed many activities together, baby massage, sign language, messy play, parent-and-toddler groups, Summer excursions, fun days and Christmas activities - the list goes on. My son has developed into a happy, well balanced, intelligent and stimulated little boy and I have made many new friends. As well as providing activities for my son, Sure Start has given me and many other women training opportunities previously unavailable. I have taken courses on parenting, self-esteem and assertiveness, first aid, art and many more and, as a result, have recently taken up a placement in a local school. I am training to become a teacher; something I would never have been able to do without the support and encouragement that Sure Start has given me. I hope that the programme is allowed to develop throughout South Tyneside and that many more families can benefit as I believe Sure Start is an invaluable asset to any community where there are children. Gillian O'Donnell, All Saints parent. Reply to this message Surestart All Saints - A Big Thankyou As a single parent, having to return to work full time after having taken only 18 weeks maternity leave, the prospect of leaving my 18 week old daughter was terrifying. All the staff at Surestart All Saints have made the transition much easier, my daughter is confident, happy and loves to be there (she is still only 6 and a half months!) and for me that is what makes the struggle of juggling work and motherhood that little bit easier. Thank you so much for everything. Olivia (parent from surestart All Saints) Reply to this message Post a new message	Find out if you're in a Sure Start South Tyneside area? Enter your postcode: