Thirsk Children's Centre launch

Thirsk Children’s Centre was officially launched last Friday with a Halloween party for families in and around the Thirsk area. Around 300 people took part in a range of activities including mask making, face painting and Halloween- themed arts and crafts. There was also delicious food, including pumpkin soup, along with recipes to take home. Children and parents made Halloween costumes and lanterns with prizes for the most imaginative - all part of the event which celebrated the Children’s Centre and the support it will offer to families in the coming years. Carolyn Bird, Strategic Development & Commissioning Manager for North Yorkshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Service, highlighted the success of the centre so far and outlined some of the ways that it will make a difference to families in the area. A range of different activities for families are already taking place. So far many have accessed the new baby clinic, speech and language therapy drop-ins, first aid training, baby massage, music for pre-school children and many other activities. Children’s Centres are intended to be the focal point for early years’ services and by 2010, every family with children up to the age of 5 will have access to a range of services including:Access to community health services Outreach services to vulnerable families Information and advice Support to childminders Activities for children and parents/carers Links with JobCentre PlusCounty Councillor Caroline Patmore, executive member for Children and Young People’s Services said: “Children’s Centres have been groundbreaking in the support they give to families with young children.  We trust that this new centre will give families in Thirsk and the surrounding area all the help they need in caring for their babies and children during these vital early years.” 


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