A, from the Horn of Africa, lives in the UK with her 3-year-old child, S. Her older child lives abroad. English is her second language. A faced challenges with managing S’s behaviour and suspected additional needs but lacked knowledge about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). A kept her concerns to herself and felt stress, leading to isolation and depression. Public judgement and unkind remarks from friends about S’s behaviour and F’s parenting led A to avoid social interactions and feel ostracised. Attending the Dagenham Library launch and joining the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) programme provided her with support and confidence. Enrolled S in nursery and accessed additional support services. A opened up to friends, family and S’s father about her concerns. She now regularly takes S out on outings and manages her emotions better. A has embraced S’s unique temperament and enjoys special activities together and has also gained a better understanding of child development and behaviour. A adopted a healthier lifestyle and became a positive role model for S. She feels more confident and assertive in seeking help. A Is receiving support to bring her older daughter to the UK, giving her hope for reuniting her family and creating a stable environment for her family. A now feels free and more empowered in her role as a mother. If you are interested or know of anyone who would be interested in joining this course – please use the link below: LB Barking and Dagenham SFSC referral form (google.com)    

J first attended a PEEP play and talk at Valence library where mum shared, she has seen the health visitor and was under Speech and Language Therapy. They had been receiving SALT videos which she was completing at home, and they had been recommended to attend play sessions.   I completed an assessment with J which showed J was behind in expressive language and play.   When J first attended the sessions, he cried a lot, would not give eye contact to us or engage in activities, he rolled around on the floor a lot and made single vowel noises.  He would not sit for story or singing time.   Concerns:  Mum was concerned that J was not saying many words and not yet using sentences.  Support Program:  Already under SALT  Invited to Targeted PEEP sessions.  Encouraged to keep attending PEEP play and talk drop-in sessions  Outcome:  After attending 6 weeks of targeted PEEP sessions as well as some Play and talk drop-in sessions. J was engaging in activities during play time but still staying with mum.   He was no longer getting upset so frequently and giving better eye contact. He would sit for a story on my lap and allow me to do hand over hand for actions during singing time.   At the end of the 6 weeks, I updated his assessment which showed he had improved in his Play and social communication, Attention and listening, and expressive language, learning a few new words.      

On Monday, June 17th, we opened the North Locality Family Hub in Marks Gate. This is the second of our three hubs to open. Nausicaa Konstantinidis, who is 4 years old, officially opened the hub with help from Elaine Allegretti, our Director for Children’s Services. Katie O’Neil, a parent, and Aysha Meah, a local volunteer, spoke about their positive experiences with the hub. Many local families attended, enjoying activities like a children’s entertainer and face painting. Families also joined ‘PEEP’ sessions, which help with learning at home. The ‘PEEP’ sessions happen every Wednesday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at the North Locality Hub. We have many other services too, which you can find in our timetable. A big thank you to the Literacy Trust and the Warren Junior School choir for making the day special. For more details, visit our website at www.startforlife.lbbd.gov.uk or come to the centre to talk with one of our Family Navigators.  

In February, we hosted the biggest ever Free Family Health and Wellbeing event in Barking and Dagenham, with 7,500 people attending. Attendees could get checked by a local doctor without needing an appointment, relax with a free hand and shoulder massage, or get a free haircut. Families enjoyed a delicious hot meal, children’s activities, face painting, balloon art, and a chance to win trampoline park tickets. Health and wellbeing experts gave advice on various topics, including healthy lifestyles, ageing, women’s and men’s health, sexual health, dental care, cancer screening, and more. The event also offered support with debt, housing, quitting smoking, or just a chat with health visitors and professionals.

BLC Boys Football is an exciting weekly summer football club designed for young boys. The club provides a fun and engaging environment where boys can participate in various football activities, helping them to improve their skills and enjoy the game. Starting on Thursday, June 13th, the club will run every Thursday from 5 PM to 7 PM throughout the summer. The activities at BLC Boys Football are varied and aimed at maximizing both fun and skill development. Boys will participate in penalty shootouts, allowing them to practice their shooting accuracy and experience the thrill of scoring goals. Mini games are designed to enhance different aspects of their football skills, such as dribbling, passing, and teamwork. Additionally, organized football matches give the boys the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a real game setting, fostering a sense of competition and sportsmanship. Participating in BLC Boys Football offers several benefits. Regular football activities contribute to physical fitness, improving cardiovascular health, strength, and agility. The club provides a platform for boys to build confidence as they master new skills and overcome challenges. It also facilitates social interaction, allowing boys to meet new friends and develop teamwork and communication skills. Most importantly, the primary focus on enjoyment ensures that the boys have a great time, making football a fun and rewarding experience. BLC Boys Football plays a significant role in the community by promoting active lifestyles and healthy habits among young boys. It offers a safe and supportive space for boys to express themselves, learn, and grow through sport. The club not only supports the personal development of the participants but also fosters a sense of community by bringing together families and children with a shared interest in football. In summary, BLC Boys Football is an engaging summer club that offers young boys the opportunity to play football, enhance their skills, and make new friends. Through a mix of penalty shootouts, mini games, and football matches, the club ensures a fun and supportive environment where boys can thrive both on and off the pitch. Join us every Thursday from June 13th for a summer filled with football fun and excitement, from 5 PM to 7 PM.

“I had the right support. I would’ve never been able to quit without my nurse (Stop Smoking advisor) She was an angel” – Tracy, 56 years old. Tracy found out about our services through her GP who referred her to our service, and she was able to access the help she needed right away. Today Tracy shares her story to help inspire others who may be thinking about going smoke free, after smoking since her early teenage years.   She wanted to give up smoking for her health so she can achieve a healthier and happier lifestyle. She knew that smoking was heavily impacting her health and she knew that now was the perfect time to quit smoking for good.   Tracy had tried previously to quit smoking but was only able to cut down her cigarette intake. She thought that she wasn’t given the right support and encouragement with her previous quit attempts. Tracy’s Stop Smoking advisor listened to Tracy and took this into account and together they came up with a plan to help Tracy stop smoking for good! She was prescribed nicotine replacement patches which she had used in previous quit attempts but was not fond of. She said that the with encouragement from her stop smoking advisor, she was able to give it another shot and was successful. By week 4 of her 12-week Stop Smoking support, her Carbon Monoxide reading confirmed that she was smoke free. After the 12 weeks, she was still smoke free, and she said that her mental and physical health had improved. Her stop smoking journey allowed her to pick up new skills such as experimenting with new arts and go hiking as much as possible as well as other outdoor exercises. Some of her health issues had become more manageable as it was less painful to perform tasks. Also, in quitting smoking, Tracy was able to save more. All the money she saved; Tracy was able to start planning a holiday with her daughter this summer. If you would like advice and support to quit smoking, you can self-refer through the Stop Smoking Registration form.