A Barnardo’s service in Cookstown is celebrating 25 years of helping thousands of local families on their journeys from pregnancy until their child starts school.
Gold Sure Start, based at Loy Street, which started as Gold Community Partnership in 2021, was one of the first Sure Start programmes set up in Northern Ireland.
A celebration event was recently held at the Glenavon Hotel in Cookstown to reflect on the achievements and impact of the past 25 years, as well as to look ahead to the future. The event featured keynote speakers from Barnardo’s NI and the Department of Education who joined stakeholders including service users and past and present employees.
Mary Tennyson, who has managed the service since it started, explained: “Gold Sure Start was set up following government research which demonstrated that early intervention in children’s lives leads to improved outcomes in later life.
“Funding was targeted at areas of social disadvantage based on multiple deprivation index data. Gortalowry and Oldtown wards in Cookstown were identified within this data and representatives from a range of statutory and voluntary organisations interested in supporting children and their families came together.
“Over the last 25 years we have had the pleasure in working with thousands of local families from pregnancy until their child starts school and it has been a joy to support them on their early parenting journeys and see their children thrive.”
Claire Murphy, Children’s Services Manager, said: “Currently we have more than 1,200 children and almost 1,100 families registered with Gold Sure Start which shows the need for our services across eight wards in the Mid-Ulster area.
“We have a fantastic multidisciplinary staff team of over 40, including a midwife, public health nurse, speech therapist and assistants, family support workers, a volunteer co-ordinator and a large team of early years’ practitioners
“It was great to celebrate with families and staff and we’re excited about what the next 25 years will bring!”
As well as Gortalowry and Oldtown, Gold Sure Start services are now delivered across Killymoon, Ardboe, Dunamore, Pomeroy, Mahera and Town Parks East.
Parents across the area have congratulated Gold Sure Start on its anniversary and praised the work that the service does to support them.
One parent said: “Their fantastic (and famous!) developmental programme for two to three year-olds has been a gift to us.
“It has provided my toddler with a truly valuable outlet where he is playing and organically growing and making amazing progress in the care of the team which includes some very enthusiastic, experienced women.
“I know that his development is at the centre of their work and that if ever input was needed, it is close by and accessible during these vital early years of his life.”
Another parent said: “I think I speak for a lot of families when I say that Gold Sure Start has been and continues to be a vital resource for us. We are all very fortunate to have this service available in a time when there are cuts happening all around us. Thank you all for your hard work and I wish you lots of continued success for the future!”
Services include:
- Antenatal and postnatal support
- Breastfeeding support
- Family support
- Parenting programmes
- Baby and parent programmes including baby massage
- Health Information
- Speech, Language and Communication
- Childcare activities
- Respite Childminding
- Dads’ Support Group
- Family Fun Days
For more information go to https:/www.goldstart.org.uk