New children's centre opens (From Stourbridge News)

New children's centre opens

12:58pm Monday 4th February 2008 in Local By Bev Holder

CHILDREN and families turned out to celebrate the opening of a new children and families centre in Stourbridge.

The centre in Forge Road, which is being run out of the old Beauty Bank School building, was officially launched on Saturday (February 2) by the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor David Stanley, along with four-year-old Poppy-Tallulah McGrath and her sister Lily-Mae.

A partnership project between Dudley Council and children's charity NCH, the new Stourbridge Children and Families Centre provides a range of services for children and young people up to 18 - as well their parents or carers.

It also offers early learning, family support, health services, training and employment advice and support for parents or carers of children with special needs and disabilities.

A tots group, toy library, family activity days, individual and group support for children, young people and parents/carers groups and support for young carers are also offered at the new centre, which aims to introduce even more services over the next few months.

To mark its opening on Saturday, a variety of activities and entertainment was laid on - including visits from a storyteller, Dippy the Clown and Cedric the dragon, plus fun and games for older children, craft and activity workshops for the whole family, and performances by clog dancers and pupils from Pedmore Technology College.

Councillor Liz Walker, Dudley's cabinet member for children's services, said: "Stourbridge Childen and Families Centre is doing some really excellent work in the community, offering support for everyone involved with children and young people."

There are currently six children's centres running across the borough - Lye, Brierley Hill, Priory, Wren's Nest, Netherton Park, Kates Hill & Sledmere.

A further 11, including Stourbridge Children and Family Centre, are currently being developed and will start offering services throughout the coming year - particularly geared at helping communities facing poverty, isolation and deprivation.

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho - who attended the launch - said: "As a mum myself and former teacher I know how important early intervention and support is for child development and I'm so glad that the local community will be benefiting."