Outreach Family Support Workers - provide information, advice and support to families with children aged 0 - 5 years who may be new to the area, isolated, or with little support. They can help families find out about opportunities in the local area (including training, finding childcare and new groups). They also visit parents in their own homes to provide support, information and advice on child behaviour and development, parenting, play and relationships, managing family issues and accessing other services. We have outreach workers who have particular focus on supporting:
- Young Parents
- Dad's / Male Carers
- Families with children with additional needs
- Parents affected by mental ill health
They can also offer: practical, intensive and flexible home based support and advice to the whole family when other services are not quite enough.
Outreach Stay & Play groups - various opportunities across the area for parents and carers to meet with other families, gain information, health advice and access to other services.
Dads and Children Sessions - a chance for dads to meet with other dads and their children. The group meets on the first Saturday of every month at Barnardo's, 10 Redfield Road, Midsomer Norton.
Breastfeeding Support - Breastfeeding Peer Supporters (volunteer mums) are available at various Children's Centre activities across the area including :
- Bosom Babes - 12:00 - 1:30 at Midsomer Norton Children's Centre every Friday
- Bumps and Babes - 1:30 - 3:00 at Midsomer Norton Children's Centre every Wednesday
Cook and Taste / Healthy eating workshops and courses - run in the local area for parents and carers who would like information on good nutrition, healthy eating and gaining practical cooking skills.
Accident Prevention scheme - for low income, single parent families or those who have suffered a near miss accident to access safety equipment and prevent injury.
Playsacks and SENsory Playsacks - Playsacks are available for families to borrow to support children develop their language, communication and play skills.
Parenting programmes - Structured programmes run in various venues locally to support you in your parenting. ‘Confident Parent, Confident Child’ courses run every term for parents with children aged 2 years. Other more intensive courses are also available.
Family walks – a chance to meet other parent and carers, make new friends and gain support whilst enjoying a walk in the local area. Please phone for details.
Baby Massage - courses for parents and carers who want to learn the techniques of baby massage and how it may help your baby’s health wellbeing and your communication with them
Support for mothers suffering with Post Natal Depression - An arts-based support group is avaliable by referal through your Health Visitor. It offers support & advice to mums suffering with postnatal depression or anxiety.
Support to stop smoking - support to help parents, parents-to-be and carers to give up smoking and/or help them to create a healthier home environment for themselves and their children
Specialist Child and Family Support Team provide intensive support for families surrounding various aspects of family life.
Counselling for parents or carers (individually or couples) helps parents and carers to deal with understanding the difficulties affecting their lives and encourage them to bring about the changes they need to make for themselves and their children.
Transport - available to access groups. Call Barnardos on 01761 410413.
Parents and carers opinions and ideas surrounding the delivery of our services are important to us. If you have any comments you would like to speak to a member of staff about, please call the Children's Centre on 01225 396660.