Parents with young children have been invited to activity-packed fun days taking place at three of Norfolk’s popular children’s centres so they can socialise, make new friends and find out more about the wide range of services and support available.
The fun days will take place on Friday, August 30 2013 at the Sure Start Children’s Centres in North Walsham, Mundesley and Cromer, which are all run by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C). Children’s centre staff who have organised the events have made sure the same attractions are available at all three sites, including face-painters, balloon modelling, a range of arts and crafts, story-telling and other fun family activities.
Children’s entertainers will also put on small shows at each venue, with Misitfied appearing at Mundesley, Charlie Cheesecake at North Walsham and Johnny Jaffa Cake at Cromer, while Waitrose has donated fruit bags for the children to enjoy.
Amanda Goodbody, a student Health Visitor with NCH&C who has co-ordinated the events, said: “We are always keen to showcase the activities and support we offer to families, and thought that organising these open days would be an ideal way of doing just that.
“We will be launching an extended programme of activities in September, building on our usual activities, which will include breastfeeding support groups, well baby clinics, stay and play sessions and post-natal groups.
“We hope that anyone interested in any of these activities, or who wants to enjoy the entertainments we’ve organised, will come along on 30 August, join the fun and find out more about their local Sure Start Children’s Centre.”
NCH&C runs seven Sure Start Children’s Centres across the county, which aim to improve quality of life for local families by helping them access health and social care.
Staff at the centres include family support workers, health visitors, and community nursery nurses, who encourage children to take part in learning activities and play sessions which improve their physical, emotional and social development.
They also help to signpost parents and carers to further support wherever needed, such as social care or additional support from other local health and care professionals, such as GPs.
Amanda added: “We work closely with the parents using our centres and other health and social care experts to ensure the services we provide meet the needs of local families.
“Everything we do is aimed at having a positive impact on people’s health and making sure children get the best possible start in life. The centres are open to everyone with young children and we’d welcome anyone who wants to come along and find out more. If you register with the children’s centre we can keep you updated with the ongoing programme or any special events.”
The fun days are open to anyone with children under the age of five and run from 10am to 3pm. Anyone who would like more information about the centres holding the open days can call Cromer on 01263 519325, Mundesley on 01263 721746 and North Walsham on 01692 502840.
www.norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk
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