Best Beginnings was set up to deliver accessible support for
families and children 0-8 years, centred on family support,
improving health and community development within the
Derwent area of Derby City. The team consists of 10
workers who are based at Derwent Stepping Stones
Nursery (Voluntary Sector) which is one of four sites
delivering Children Centre Services for the Derwent area.
The project partnership includes: the PCT; Children Centres;
Extended School; the Integrated Children’s Team;
Barnados; Oasis – teenage pregnancy; local residents and
the Derwent Community Team.
The project offers a level two family support service for
families identified as needing additional support. Parents
as partners have identified local need and been
ambassadors for the project and know what needs
changing. They are involved with steering groups, parents’
forum, all interview and selection processes, joint training
with staff and become involved with volunteering. The
current activities include: flexible home based support to
families within the area and family sessions at the centre;
Improving Health programmes within local schools which
have developed partnership projects with parents and
professionals and developing the parents’ forum with links
to the local community groups and volunteer support.
M.A.D. (Mums and Dads) is one of the most vibrant
partnership projects developed so far, supporting the
health of families with children under five years. Families
now access: physical activity through buggy walks;
targeted child play activities; healthy eating through
breakfast club and breast-feeding support; support for
mental health; creative workshops; a bumps and babies
programme; educational support through story time at the
community library, and school health, stay and play
activities. The key to success has been the involvement and
commitment of local people who have taken on fantastic
leadership roles in healthy eating, physical activity and oral
health.
For more information on this project, contact:
Kate.Hallam@derbycitypct.nhs.uk
