A Better Start Southend

Reaching and engaging with fathers has always been more challenging than mothers, as they are less visible to services. In this blog Colin Smy, Development Manager at Blackpool Better Start, describes the work that has been done to reach and engage fathers in Blackpool. A step the A Better Start Partnership took was to establish a presence in the local maternity ward, with services aimed directly at fathers. This proved to be successful, dramatically increasing the reach of dads to 47% of all parents. Read more about Blackpool Better Start’s initiative: https://lnkd.in/eafhHSsD #ABetterStart National Children's Bureau

We're planning for the future of our services as our National Lottery Community Fund grant ends in March 2025. Over the last ten years, ABSS has supported 7,865 children aged 0 – 3 and pregnant women in six wards through a range of projects and services aimed at discovering what works best to help make Southend a great place to have and raise a child. The programme has been dedicated to working with local partners, as well as listening to, learning from and supporting families and young children. Some of the projects ABSS has supported have secured funding to enable them to continue, while others will change, be delivered differently or end in their current form. We are working with partners to plan changes and support the transition to March 2025 and beyond. You can find out more information, updates and FAQs on our website at https://lnkd.in/egweJJ2M You can also contact us with any questions at BeyondABSS@eyalliance.org.uk #ABetterStartSouthend #BeyondABSS The National Lottery Community Fund

Today we begin our ‘Parent Champion Spotlight’ series, celebrating ABSS Parents who have volunteered in this vital role. We celebrate the impact they have made to the ABSS Programme and the impact the Programme has had on their own development. Led by SAVS, Parent Champions work alongside Early Years professionals to identify needs and develop solutions. Their experience as parents is essential and this co-production has helped to bring about effective projects and services in the City. As at 31st July 2024, 108 Parent Champions have been part of the project and have volunteered over 28,067 hours. They have taken part in over 1,000 events and meetings which direct, shape or govern services. Michelle Gray, ABSS Engagement Officer Lead, has written an article for the National Children's Bureau about Parent Champions bringing the ABSS Mascot, ‘Pip’, to life through a new storybook. Free copies of the book are available to parents / carers / early years settings across Southend by contacting Michelle at mgray@savs-southend.co.uk . Read the article at https://ow.ly/Sqlh50TNuPo Find out more about Parent Champions on our website at https://ow.ly/QvTg50TNuPp #ABetterStartSouthend #SAVS #ABSSParentChampions

Join us for our next monthly Shared Support coffee morning on Wednesday 30th October! Shared Support is Making Participation Work's monthly informal get together for participation and co-production practitioners. Each month you can join us online with a cup of tea and a biscuit to hear from an expert in children and young people's engagement, participate in discussions and share our collective expertise. In this session, we will be discussing building online communities for disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs. To find out more and register for the session, click here- https://buff.ly/4dYWa30

Better Health Start for Life: Little Moments Together. Playing with toys your child is interested in together can build your child’s brain development and help them learn new skills. For more ideas on spending Little Moments Together, head to Livewell Southend's website at https://ow.ly/B13050Sq9aP #ABetterStartSouthend #LittleMomentsTogether #BetterHealthStartforLife #PublicHealthSouthend Southend-on-Sea City Council

A Better Start Bradford delivers ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses for new and expectant mums. Emma Rose, who delivers the ESOL for pregnancy and infants courses, explains how these courses support parents and families. The Partnership’s ESOL for Pregnancy lessons teach English vocabulary related to the pregnancy journey, which enables mums to talk to their midwife, doctor, and other healthcare staff with confidence. The sessions are as inclusive as possible, being run online and face-to-face in the community, with a mixed model of digital and paper delivery. One mum who attended an ESOL course taught by Emma Rose said: “Everyone tells me that they can see a big difference in my confidence and my personality, and I am forever recommending the ESOL course to friends.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/eCaPHXBA #ABetterStartSouthend National Children's Bureau

The annual Black Maternal Mental Health Week, coordinated by The Motherhood Group, focuses on the mental well-being of Black mothers and their children to create lasting change. Black mothers sharing their stories is key. It gives a voice to statistics, challenges stereotypes, shows others they are not alone and ensures that information comes from real experiences and needs. Find out more about the recent 2024 event and watch the webinars on themes including 'Why Black Maternal Mental Health Matters' and 'Black Child Mental Health Day', exploring the link between Black maternal mental health and children's mental health, at https://ow.ly/GN8G50TCcmf #ReclaimingNarrativesBHM #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackMaternalMentalHealth #ABetterStartSouthend

Our ABSS newsletter was delayed last week and will be sent to subscribers tomorrow. Sign up TODAY at https://ow.ly/5xrn50PEhfB to receive our October round-up of events and sessions, upcoming events to register for and the latest ABSS updates. #ABetterStartSouthend

An update from Southend Supports Breastfeeding on local businesses that are signing up to the scheme

Our next ABSS newsletter will be sent to subscribers tomorrow! Sign up TODAY at https://ow.ly/5xrn50PEhfB to receive our October round-up of events and sessions, upcoming events to register for and the latest ABSS updates. #ABetterStartSouthend