Council helps all children in Telford and Wrekin to get the best start for life
Telford & Wrekin Council has launched the “Best Start for Life” one-stop booklet to offer borough families information and advice about the first two years of their babies’ lives.
The “Best Start for Life” booklet launch took place on Monday, 22 May 2023 at Telford Town Park Visitor Centre.
A high number of parents and carers of children aged 0-2 years old as well as those expecting a baby came to talk to the council’s Public Health team and local Early Years support groups and providers about the help and assistance available in Telford and Wrekin during a baby’s first two years of life.
The “Best Start for Life” booklet is available for download from the council's website.
People can also request a printed copy of the booklet to be delivered to their home by emailing telfordfamilyhubs@telford.gov.uk
The launch of the “Best Start for Life” one-stop booklet is part of the council’s Family Hubs programme, which will be delivered in the borough over the next two years through a Department of Education grant.
Cllr Kelly Middleton (Lab), Cabinet Member for Healthy, Safer & Stronger Communities and Partnerships said: “We know that the first 1,001 days of a child’s life are crucial for their development and wellbeing and can have a significant impact on their future.
“We want to provide every child in Telford and Wrekin with the best possible start in life. The launch of the “Best Start for Life” one-stop booklet is a step towards this aim, by helping to improve health outcomes and the quality of life for all babies in our borough. "
Cllr Shirley Reynolds (Lab), Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Young People said:
“The launch of the “Best Start for Life” booklet marks the start of our “Family Hubs” programme.
“From this summer, we are planning to roll out the first Family Hubs in the borough, one-stop centres that provide a range of family services aimed at assisting families in overcoming challenges and building strong relationships with children and young people aged 0-19 (25, if they have special educational needs and disabilities).
“Family Hubs services will support new parents with infant feeding, emotional wellbeing, healthy lifestyles and many other services.
“Family Hubs will help as such to improve children and young people’s overall wellbeing and mental health, reduce family poverty and lead to lower crime, unemployment and many other positive outcomes in our borough.”
Photo caption: Centre - Cllr Shirley Reynolds (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council's Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Young People with parents and children who took part in the launch event of the Best Start for Life booklet (Telford Town Park, May 2023)
