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Family Support Services
Traditionally a part of the services we provide are related to family support and this is done in a number of ways.
Children's Services
carer and toddler groups where parents can meet other families and enjoy play and fun organised by our qualified worker playgroup where children can join in without their parent present, make new friends and learn about the routines that will prepare them for nursery and school
'Here in our carers and toddlers held at the Neighbourhood Centre, we aim to encourage your children to learn, grow and play in a stimulating, fully supervised play session.
By giving access to a wide variety of toys and equipment, children can develop vital skills.'
These are offered in a friendly social way and there is only a nominal charge for the sessions allowing them to be accessible to all of the community, providing there are no waiting lists! after school interest groups. We are currently offering Big Cook Liltle Cook where families can meet up after school and learn how to make a healthy meal to take home for tea holiday activities for children up to the age of eleven- See Breakout
Toy Library Now run in partnership with ETEC this facility provides toys and play equipment for children up to the age of fourteen for as little as 20p per item. Craft materials are also on sale. Some items of children's safety equipment can be accessed by contacting Helyn Jackson, the children's essenials worker at the library. It is open for three sessions per week:-
Monday 1-3.30p.m, Thursday 9.00a.m-noon, Friday 11.30a.m-1.00p.m Play Park
The Centre has a very well equipped play park. During holiday periods we offer supervised play sessions and activities where families can meet and relax together.This helps to reduce social isolation. We recently held a willow workshop on the park when a tunnel was made by local families. We use the park for bigger celebratory occasions such as BBQs and fayres which are open to the wider community. We have been fortunate in having the support of Ben Sloanes one of our volunteers to help us look after the park on a daily basis. Ben uses our greenhouse to grow vegetables. Older People
We have a small range of aids for living for people who are over 50 or disabled, available for a small fee. These are items which help to reduce the risk of accidents in the home such as alarms, push lights and curly kettle leads. Anyone wishing to access this scheme should contact our receptionist Deb Coatsworth
We provide a fortnightly Young at Heart session at Bellingham House, a local sheltered housing scheme. This provides an opportunity for a game of bingo and social get together and is open to non-rersidents too.
Health Promotion
We work closely with staff from the in-house primarycare team to hold health promotion events. The topics we have recently covered include oral cancer, smoking cessation and home safety.
Baby clinic is held twice a month on a Friday morning.New and young parents can get their baby weighed and discuss concerns with the health visitor aswell as exchange experience with others. It is also a chance for us to signpost people to our other services.
Advice links
If you have a problem, or just need a chat, we can help. If you need advice on issues concerning your family or yourself, and need some support, we can let you know where you can find it.
We have some useful website links you can visit for information and advice. If you would like an advice link added to this page, please contact the project.
Sunderland's Children's Disability Service Sunderland's Children's Services has a new children's disability website, and for information and advice you can visit their website at www.sncwd.org.uk
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk can provide you with information on health issues and give medical advice.
Save the Children have a long term relationship with Pennywell Neighbourhood Centre, and you can visit their site at www.savethechildren.org.uk
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