Foundation Years - Sure Start Children's Centres

Written evidence submitted by Mrs Claire Oldham

I am responding as a parent who has used and much needed the Sure Start provision.

1. Having moved to the area whilst I was pregnant, I was at a very delicate point in my life where I could have been left feeling very isolated. Although I had my newly married husband as support I was worried that not having my work, friend and family network as support that I would be left feeling alone with my newborn child. Thankfully I attended the anti natal groups provided by Sure Start which were not only very informative and supportive but also gave me a chance to meet ‘mums to be’ from the area, who of which I am still friends with now, 18 months on.

2. Having breastfed my child, which I found very difficult to begin with, my husbands’ family had only ever bottle fed so I found little comfort with their support. Again thankfully the breastfeeding groups provided a network of much needed support, when I felt like giving up. From which I met a further two more mums who were also breastfeeding at the time and we continued to give each other support, and again are still very good friends today. Without the support from the staff and other mums I don’t think I would have continued to breastfeed for 9 months as I did.

3. Having resigned from my full time job in Stoke on Trent, I felt it took me a little longer to adjust to my new lifestyle with my newborn. I hadn’t got the idea of maternity leave in my mind and the knowledge that I would be going back to work in the imminent future. Therefore I felt the need to fill my days with productive activities with my child, in order to gain some sort of routine. I was given the ‘Whats on’ leaflet by my Health Visitor and was excited to see lots of groups that I would be able to attend. As a result I have attended many of the groups on a regular basis (Messy play, discovery play, tea and toast, babble and sign, baby massage and HENRY) and my daughter has thrived from them, from this attendance I believe that they have contributed to my daughters’ excellent speech development, confidence and general happiness. They give us a purpose to our days, an opportunity for my daughter to learn and play safely, a chance for both of us to meet new people and a comfort to know that there are educated staff who are supportive and available to help you if needed.

4. Although not formally diagnosed with post natal depression, I had completed a questionnaire with my health visitor who advised me to see my GP. At the time I felt I could deal with my insecurities and worries without the help of medication. It is only now 18 months on that when I have talked about it with my husband that I can admit that I may have had mild depression. I truly believe that if I had not had the Sure Start groups that were available every day, every week that I may have been a lot worse than I had been or may have needed some kind of medication to get me where I am today, which thankfully is a very happy and proud mummy.

5. Not being from the area, attending the Sure Start groups has given me a real sense of community. I have gained knowledge of the local areas, met people from different walks of life, and gained confidence through speaking to fellow mums who have helped and encouraged me to gain employment in the area. I have chosen a change in career and have gained employment helping the elderly in their homes and hope to possibly work towards entering social care in the future. I really do feel that having the opportunity to attend the Sure Start centres and meeting the warm natured and friendly staff have made me the confident and proud mum I am today. They have given me the insight and confidence to help my family and to ensure my daughter has the best start to life.

6. I personally feel that I am a very lucky and privileged person to be in the situation I am and I have found the Sure Start centres to have a massive impact on mine and my daughter’s life. Therefore I am sure that there are mothers/families that need a lot more help than I have needed and for them not to have the support of the Sure Start provision would be to a massive detriment to the community and society as a whole.

May 2013