What is Sure Start?
Sure Start is a government initiative that has been set up to improve the life chances of children.
The Sure Start programme aims to work with parents, carers and children to promote the physical, intellectual, social and emotional development of children aged four and under, so that they are ready to flourish when they start school.
Working in Partnership
To achieve these aims Redvales Sure Start is working in partnership with Bury MBC, EYDCP, Bury Primary Care Trust, Pennine Acute Trust, the NCH, voluntary organisations and local businesses.
Redvales Sure Start
The council ward of Redvales (postcodes BL9 0, BL9 7 and BL9 9), including Orchid Drive, Lakeland Crescent, Cherry Close, Westmorland Road and all of Whitefield Road has been selected to join the government's initiative. The ward takes in the Town Centre and the surrounding estates. Anyone with children under four, or caring for them, who lives within the area is welcome, and we look forward to meeting you.
Being chosen to become a Sure Start area means that residents within Redvales will begin to experience an improvement in the services they receive and receive services that actually match their needs. In offering these new and improved services there are a number of targets which Redvales Sure Start will meet.
Sure Start Targets
Improving social and emotional development
Improving the health of children and parents
Improving children's ability to learn
Strengthening families and communities
Sure Start Core Services
Outreach and home visiting
Support for families and parents
Support for good quality play, learning and childcare experiences
Primary and community health care, including advice about family and child development
Support for children and parents with special needs, including help to access specialised services.
What are we doing?
We are able to offer both general services open to all members of the community
Sure Start Playgroups
Playlink
Art Projects
English Language Classes
Baby Drop in
Health Projects
As well as being able to offer services tailored to individual needs. We can offer advice to parents/cares, help with re-training, getting on courses, understanding and making the most of benefits and returning to work.
To ensure we are offering services that are actually wanted we welcome any ideas about how to develop our services. A number of parent's forums have been set up to make sure we hear and take on board these ideas.
Parents Forum
The Parents' Forums give parents in Redvales the chance to have an input in the way that Sure Start delivers its services. Encouraging parents' to voice their opinions on the delivery of current services, proposed future services and any other relevant issues that may arise.
Sure Start Redvales is keen to involve parents in the delivery of the project. The forums are made up of parents and carers in the Redvales area.
Parent representatives are at the core of the Sure Start Redvales service, where all parents' views are welcome and respected.
The ideas that the parents' forum discusses helps the programme to develop services that match the programmes targets and parents actual needs.
The parents' forums are run by parents for the parents of Redvales. The meetings are held in an informal environment, where tea, coffee and a snack are available.
A crèche is available for parents who have young children. Please book in advance if you require the crèche to enable you to attend meetings.
No experience is necessary to be involved, just enthusiasm and a commitment of approximately 2 hours per month.
There are forums in both the afternoon and evening for parents who work and would still like to become involved in the programme. If you require any further information, please contact Julie on tel. 0161 253 6186.
