Programme Summary

Cherish Sure Start is about giving children a better start in life so that they will achieve well at school and grow up to be happy.  Our vision is for the Sure Start project to provide activities that address and meet the social, emotional, physical and educational development of children and their families.  The services are friendly, easily accessible and sensitive to the needs of our community as the community will contribute to the programme and will ultimately own it.  We want Sure Start to help parents feel confident and in control of their children's lives and their own.  It will aim to remove barriers, which prevent parents from getting support in caring for and bringing up their children.   

Activities

A multi-disciplinary approach has been established with workers and outside facilitators specialising in play, health, family support, dietetics, speech and language and early education.

So what does the Cherish Sure Start Initiative have to offer you?

Families with young children under 4 years of age will be able to avail of the following services:

• Sure Start Health Visitor supporting all families with children aged 0-4 in addition to offering a wide range of services such as Breast Feeding Support groups, Stop Smoking groups, Cook programmes and much more.
• Home Safety Check Scheme.
• Speech and Language programmes that are responsive to local needs.
• Homestart volunteers who are parents themselves offering friendship, help and practical support in the family home.
• Support, advice and training for registered childminders.
• Dietetics advice, support and training programmes.
• Infant Massage Classes for parents/carers with a baby aged 0-8 months.
• A variety of Information Technology and Early Years training courses.
• Parent & Toddler Groups.
• Specialised training and support services for families with Special Needs requirements.
• Midwifery Drop-in Clinic at the ARC.
• Up and coming Teenage Parent Support Group.
• Lifestart is a home-based child development programme which supports the work of parents in developing their child's potential.
• Fermanagh Women's Aid and Citizen's Advice outreach clinics and support programmes.
• Creche facilities available to families using CHERISH Sure Start services.
• Fun packed activity sessions for 2-4 year olds with qualified fitness instructors such as Monkeynastix.
• Pre-school music, dance and singing sessions with an educational slant such as Jo Jingles.
• Pre-natal Fitness Exercise classes designed to help you regain your figure and energy after childbirth.
• Bumps and Babies support group for mums-to-be and parents of children aged 0-1 year.
• A range of preventative programmes such as Sexual Health, Drug & Alcohol Education, Breast Feeding Education and the No Fear Pack delivered to local Schools and Community Organisations.

Plus much more fun packed events throughout the year such as coffee and free play sessions, story-telling, parties, arts and craft sessions, music and movement sessions and guest speakers.  CHERISH Sure Start will keep you up to date of all forthcoming events.  Services will be provided on an outreach basis in all the areas.

Sure Start for Parents

Parents enjoy the benefit of support, advice, home visits and special training courses.  Sure Start also encourages parents to get involved in the project, to make sure parents get the services they and their children need.  A parents' group meet monthly at the ARC Healthy Living Centre and contributes to the planning of the CHERISH Sure Start services.  Other parents groups will be established in other areas.

If you are a parent living in the CHERISH Sure Start area and you have a pre-school child, why not get in touch with us?  Come along to the ARC Healthy Living Centre, or call us to find out what events are planned.  You are also welcome to join the Parents Group meetings.  

Newsletter

The Cherish Sure Start Newsletter, the CHATTERPILLAR, was first issued in May 2002. The CHATTERPILLAR is issued bi-monthly and will bring you up to date with all that's happening in the Irvinestown area. The newsletter is distributed throughout the catchment area to all parents aged 0-4 years, libraries, health centres and parent and toddler groups. If you would like a copy, please ring the Administrator on 028 686 21970.

The Cherish Sure Start Initiative is now in its 3rd year. Many of the activities are improving as Sure Start funding has been allocated to them. To find out about each activity listed below in more detail contact Maeve Linton Sure Start Co-ordinator on 028 686 21970 or call in and see us at the ARC Healthy Living Centre.

The Sure Start Team

Sure Start Co-ordinator - Maeve Linton

Sure Start Administrator  - Teresa McDermott

Sure Start Family Support Worker  - Nicola McCutcheon

Sure Start Health Visitor  - Karen Whaley

Sure Start Speech & Language Therapist  - Mary-Elizabeth Hagenson & Annabelle Ferguson

Lifestart Family Visitors - Wendy O'Brien & Martina Woods

Home-Start Co-ordinator - Linda Stewart

Creche Workers - Gemma McDonagh, Pamela Thompson & Sinead McGarrity

Team Support Worker - Elaine McDonagh

Play Development Worker - Frances Armstrong