Community Groups

The Opportunity Group

The Opportunity Group is for children with special needs and their parents. The group meets at the Children's Centre every Tuesday during term time, from 1.30pm to 3pm.  The session provides an opportunity for children aged 0-5 years to play in a stimulating environment.  The other aim of the group is to offer support for parents in an informal setting. This is run by the Family Support Worker Tina Hickey

If you would like to join us or find out more please call the Children's Centre - Tina Hickey 01440 760500 or Jo Aubrey 01440 760500

Childminding Group

The Childminding Group is dedicated to providing a professional, flexible, reliable and cost effective childcare service to working parents. They offer all day childcare including evening, overnight and weekend care. This compliments the Cartwheels childcare service for parents whose working hours need more flexibility. Fees are paid on an hourly basis. All the members are Ofsted registered; they and their homes are regularly inspected and are covered by insurance.The Group meets every Tuesday from 9.30am to 11.30am in the Daffodil Room at the Children’s Centre, giving the children in their care time to socialise together and be involved in group activities. If you would like to come along or find out more information please call the Children's Centre on 01440 763761 

 

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Living with BabiesThis popular 8 week programme is run on a Tuesday morning at the Children’s Centre .

Living With Babies is for parents with babies up to the age of 12 months.  the programme takes place in an informal setting enabling you to talk and share everyday issues that arise with your babies and to learn how to build on the enjoyment of your baby.   Sessions may include first aid and effective parenting, we welcome any ideas parents may have.

If you and your baby would like to join us please contact on   763761.

Infant Massage

The Infant Massage sessions take place on a Thusday at the Children's Centre from 10am to 11.00am, this is run by Tina Hickey who is a Qualified Infant Massage instructor

The Benefits of Infant Massage

Infant massage is a wonderful way for you and your baby to get to know each other.  It has an effect on all the body systems and can:-

• Promote better sleep patterns.Aid digestion and help relieve colic, wind and constipation. Relieve teething pain and nasal congestion.Strengthen the immune system.Improve circulation and the skin condition.Help you learn about your baby's needs and desires.Help build baby's and parents' confidence and self esteem.Help to develop good muscle tone, co-ordination and suppleness.Stimulate the production of oxytocin, a hormone which can be produced by males and females during massage and has a calming effect on the body.
• Strengthen parent-baby attachment (bonding) which is enhanced through eye-contact, touch, smell and listening.

For more information please contact Tina on 07767618827 01440 763761.

 

Parenting Group

Cartwheels are working in partnership with ON TRACK, a local project based at Strasbourg Square. The multidisciplinary team work with children up to the age of 13 and their families. They provide a range of programmes to help children achieve their full potential and offer support to the parents. Ann Boyd and Tina Hickey the Family Support Worker runs a nine week Parenting Programme at the Childrens Centre each term, on a Thursday afternoon.at 1pm till 2.30   A free creche is available.The aim is to promote positive parenting. This is achieved through a series of videos, a comprehensive handbook and group discussions led by  Ann an Tina Parents have fun, make friends and realize there are others going through the same experiences.  They learn new, practical skills which help them become more responsible and effective in dealing with their children. To book a place or for more information contact Tina Hickey on 01440 763761 or Anne Boyd on 01440 760924 or talk to Children's Centres Manager Joan Barnes.

Tea, Toast and Talk Group The Tea, Toast and Talk Group takes place at the Children's Centre on a Monday morning from 9.30am to 11.30am during term time.  All children are welcome to join the group with their parent or carer for tea and toast.Fathers are encouraged to come along and share their experiences of nappy changing and messy meal times.Sue Thurston from the Citizen's Advice Burea "CAB " attends every other week and is there to give advice and support to any parents who request it, there is a private room solely for this purpose The group is hosted by Joan Barnes Centre Manager who can sign post people to the correct agencies if they require assistance with matters that concern them, we have a Volunteer from the Volunteer Centre  to assist with the group.

For further information please contact Joan Barnes on 07809594070 01440 763761

Adoption Support Group

The Adoption Support Group meets on the first Monday in every month (apart from bank holidays) during term time,Joan Barnes the Centre Manager runs the group, the aim of the group is to support parents who have adopted and also parents who may be in the process of doing so. They can share their experiences and give support and advice to each other. They meet in the Daffodil room. at 1.30 till 2.30. If you would like further information please call Joan on 07809594070     01440 763761

Twice As Nice

The Twice As Nice group is for parents who have had a multiple birth, the group gives support and advice with parents sharing ideas and experiences with each other. It enables the parents time to chat and have a refresment while the children are in a safe environment watched over by the Joan Barnes Centre Manager and other parents. Tina Hickey hosts this group and it meets on a Monday afternoon at 1.30 till 2.30, if you require further information please call on 01440 763761

New Groups

Bump&Grind New Group On June the 8th our new group began at the Burton Centre this is run by Tina Hickey the Family Support Worker this is for young parents to meet for support, advice and cooking tips, The group is a lunch club called Bump and Grind and it begins at 10.30 till 12.30 please call Tina on 01440 763761      0776718827

Play & Co

Play & Co meets on a Wednesday morning at 10am, till 11.30 this group is for parents with children who have mild behaviour problems. The group runs for 9 weeks with a different play theme each week the staff demonstates that through play children can learn positive behaviours. The group is run by Jane Tipple who is a trained Portage Worker and Tina Hickey our Family Support Worker who is taking up her portage training on the 8th of October this group is by invite only. If you feel this group would be of interest to you contact

Tina Hickey on 01440 763761 or 07767618827

Moving On

Moving on is a Literacy and IT group run by Angela Reid from West Suffolk College it is a drop in group so please feel free to come and join us or contact Joan Barnes Centre Manager for more information 01440 763761