Vital support for young families

Eight ‘connectors’ have been appointed by Blackpool Better Start whose role will be to spread the message about services and opportunities aimed at helping parents with young families.

The community connectors have been given designated areas of work which include Talbot and Brunswick, Grange Park, Revoe, Claremont, St Cuthberts and Mereside,while three roles will target diet and nutrition, integrated neighbourhoods and oral health.

Merle Davies, director at the Centre for Child Development, said:“I’m delighted to welcome the new additions who, through their work supporting services available to Blackpool families, will have a big impact on the future success of Blackpool Better Start.

“We have always recognised how crucial community engagement is, and this strengthens our ethos of employing people who know and live in the community to deliver support where it is needed.

“We are very pleased with the team we have recruited. Many of them are parents that have volunteered with us.”

Gary Cumber, community connector for Revoe, said: “The role is a fantastic opportunity for people from Blackpool to improve their own lives, while also improving the lives of nought to four-year-olds living in our own neighbourhoods.

“I started volunteering for Blackpool Better Start as I had been out of work for two years, and I’m really excited to learn new skills, meet new people and open doors to a new future career.”

Blackpool Better Start is mainly funded through a £45m Lottery grant .