'Surestart' scheme for expectant mothers and new parents a surefire sucess

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 5th Feb 2003

A new initiative to provide help and support for expectant mothers and those with children under 4 is up and running in Blatchcombe. Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, Mike Treleaven, called in on Thursday to see what was going on. After meeting manager Nick Hollins, Mike visited the first get together of a new group aimed at supporting parents with twins.

Surestart is an experimental programme funded by Government and targeted at the 10% most deprived areas in the country. It aims to ensure a better start in life for young people, improve the quality and level of support for parents an give better opportunities in life for both children and parents.

The unit has its own midwife, health visitor, social worker, teacher and nursery nurses and has set up centres in various locations in Blatchcombe. An ambitious building programme is underway which will provide three purpose built centres. As well as organising a huge range of support activities for mums, dads and children the centre also organises full time holiday play schemes.

Commenting on the visit Mike Treleaven said:

' The work being done by Surestart is tremendous. They have built up from nothing to dealing with 700 families and 1000 children in a very short time and are giving the support and guidance needed. I am delighted that this trial period, which will last until 2010, is being generously funded to allow a very high quality of help and care to be given. Early indications demonstrate the success of the project and I am sure the long term benefits will be enormous.'

He continued:

'With the ambitious building programme going ahead and an obviously dedicated team a great deal will be achieved. The mothers visiting the twins group were full of praise for the support they were getting and the children were obviously enjoying themselves and making full use of the many toys on offer'.