Willow Children's Centre in Highbury has two reasons to celebrate this week. Not only is it celebrating National Sure Start Month in June this Friday 23 June, but it has announced it is returning to refurbished, state-of-the-art-premises in Holloway this autumn following a £1m grant from the Council and the Government's Sure Start programme.
The Centre's nursery is currently temporarily accommodated at Conewood Street, N5. The outreach base at Williamson Street Community Centre, Parkhurst Road, N7 is holding a 'Sing and Sign' concert at 10.50am for as many parents and children as want to join in.
Willow Children's Centre is run by the council as part of Islington's network of 16 children's centres being developed to ensure that the benefits of Sure Start are accessible for all the borough's children under five and their families.
As well as providing care and nursery education to 70 local children aged from six months to five years, it will provide a range of integrated support for around 650 children and their parents living in Holloway and Tufnell Park areas.
Services available will include health, family support, parenting courses, advice and information on training and employment.
Cllr Ursula Woolley, executive member for children and families said: "Childrens' Centres are so important for local communities here in Islington - not only do they provide great care and education for young children, they also provide crucial support for parents and carers with services from health care through to help with finding work."
Celebrations for National Sure Start month culminates in the Carnival of Colour next Wednesday 28th June at Whittington Park.
Willow Children's Centre hopes more mums and dads from the area know they are there and the services they provide.
The Centre is planning to move into its refurbished premises at Holbrooke Court (behind the Holloway Road Odeon) in the autumn.
Notes for Editors:
1. Journalists and photographers are invited to attend. Please contact the centre in advance (contact details below) to confirm.
2. Willow Children's Centre is currently based at 14 Conewood Street, N5 1DL. The 'Sing and sign event will take place at Williamson Street Community Centre, Parkhurst Road, N7 0SN at 10.50am, Friday 23 June.
3. Centre's original premises at Holbrooke Court, Tufnell Park Road, N7 0PG.
For further information contact:
Islington Council Press Office 020 7527 3224 (Charles Dean)
Willow Children's Centre: 020 7527 1990 (Paul Church)
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008