Your January 2024 newsletter - including sleep tips, baby circles and Children's Mental Health Week

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January 2024

Happy New Year! Welcome to our January newsletter

Our January 2024 newsletter is our biggest issue yet! 

It is absolutely packed with information to support the Bradford District's families, and your health and care professionals, during pregnancy and in your child's early years.

Firstly please may we ask, if you have ever used a Family Hub or the related services, please do take part in the national Family Hubs survey. This survey is completely anonymous, and if you take part you will help make sure Bradford district doesn't miss out from being included in important national research. 

In the news sections below, themes include helping children get a better night's sleep, support for breastfeeding, ideas for free and low cost activities with kids, and much more - all with the aim of helping give Bradford District's children the best start in life possible.

So whether you're boiling the kettle, waiting for your bus, sat on the sofa, or working at your desk, please take a few minutes to read on!

Parents, carers and families - have your say in national Family Hubs survey

• Are you or your partner currently pregnant, or
• Are you a parent or carer of a 0-2 year old?
• Do you use the Family Hubs, or their services and support, in your local area?

If yes, we'd love to hear from you through the Family Hubs national survey.

>>  Survey link  <<

Please share your views and experiences of the Family Hubs’ help and support services, so a team of researchers can learn what helps and what could be better for families like yours. Your feedback will help a national research project.

The survey takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. 

Take part in this survey before 18 February using the survey link.

How the information will be used

This survey is anonymous. You won’t be named or identifiable in the results. Responses will be used to help family hubs and the government understand more about family hubs services, families’ experiences, and how to improve support for families.

If you have any questions about the survey or evaluation, please contact UK-PA-TF2Evaluation@ipsosresearch.com 

Thank you in advance for taking part.

Give your child the best start for life – Let’s Get Talking Bradford!

Children don’t learn to talk all by themselves. They need parents, carers, other family members and all the adults in their environment to help, as they learn to communicate.

You can give your child an extra boost, with the new ‘Talking Bradford’ online step-by-step guide.

From talking to your bump, to getting extra help if you need it, there is information and support for all. Talking Bradford is designed to help children up to age 5.

Take a look at the online guide for:

• Fun and easy activities to try at home
• Find a free ‘Play and Learn’ group
• How to get extra support in the Bradford district

You can also talk to staff at your local Family Hub.

The online guide is on the FYI (Families and Young Person’s Information) website.

Talking Bradford: Speech and Language pathway for parents

You can also watch the video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/z_C98iHa4dw?si=DIR_sDGUi5c3FK5Q

Talking Bradford - more information for professionals

Talking Bradford is a new online step-by-step guide for parents and carers of children aged 0-5 in the Bradford district. The guide brings together in one place everything families need to know about helping their child to talk and communicate from an early age.

There is additional information for early years practitioners here: Talking Bradford: Speech and Language Pathway for Early Years

Brilliant ideas for free and low cost activities with kids - from 50 Things

If you have kids aged up to 11, then '50 Things to Do' is the place to look for ideas for activity and play. 

The free smartphone app and website offers a menu of free and low cost activities to enjoy in the first 1,001 days (up until your child is 2) and beyond.

Did you know that 50 Things also have an events tab on the app? You can use this to find out about events and activities to enjoy across the district.

50 Things' aim is to inform families and others about activities, events, ideas for play and opportunities to join in with planned activities offered by themselves, the Family Hubs and other organisations.

Download the free 50 Things app using the QR code above or click on 50 Things to Do | Bradford. You can also visit the website or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Please note, you will need to be using your smart phone (not viewing on a computer) in order to download the app.

50 Things to Do is a valued delivery partner of Family Hubs and Start for Life.

If you would like more information on how to use 50 Things as a family, within the community or as a professional, please contact info@50thingstodo.org.

Parents, carers and parents-to-be, please take part in our Parent and Carer Panels

Are you currently expecting a baby?

Do you have a child under the age of 2?

We need your help to improve the services in the Bradford district for all parents/carers - from pregnancy, to the child's second birthday and beyond. 

Your voice will help us to provide the best for you and your family, and to help us shape the services offered through our Family Hubs and Start for Life offer. 

Just complete the simple form, and we'll be in touch!

• Parent and Carer Panels - more information
• Register your interest in our Parent and Carer Panels here

Breastfeed Together groups and instant support on Chat

Breastfeed Together groups are free sessions where you can chat to infant feeding practitioners, volunteer peer supporters and other parents in a relaxed, informal, community setting.  

Whether you are exclusively breastfeeding, expressing, or mixed feeding, you are welcome.

You may also like to come along in pregnancy to help you feel more prepared for breastfeeding when your baby arrives.

There is no formal structure or agenda, just a friendly space to chat and share experiences and tips.  

Please bring your baby's red book with you, if you have one, so if appropriate, we can document the support given.

Take a look online to find out more:

• Breastfeed Together support groups - Better Lives Healthy Futures (betterliveshealthyfuturesbw.nhs.uk)

Follow Breastfeeding Support on Facebook to keep up to date.

• Breastfeed Together BDCFT

For more information please email breastfeedtogether@bdct.nhs.uk.

Instant support on ChatHealth

Want advice or help with breastfeeding? 

Chat in confidence with a member of the Community Infant Feeding Team.

Just text 07312 263233.

Breastfeed Together - could you be the next breastfeeding peer support volunteer?

An exciting opportunity has come up for those of you with personal breastfeeding experience - and time to volunteer.

Recruitment is underway in our district for breastfeeding peer supporters to join the Community Infant Feeding Team. If you would like to find out more about the role, you can attend an informal information session. There are two informal information sessions coming up:

• Wrose Health Centre, Tuesday, 30 January, 1pm-2pm
• Reevy Hill Family Hub, Thursday, 1 February, 11.30am to 12.30am

Register your interest in the session and/or becoming a volunteer by emailing breastfeedtogether@bdct.nhs.uk. 

Drop-in advice and support at the Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley

• Worried your children’s vaccinations aren’t up to date?
• Do you need some support with your new baby?
• Worried about your new arrival?

Local GP surgeries are partnering with maternity and baby circles to provide a hub for drop-in advice and support for parents, carers and parents-to-be, and their babies and children, on a monthly basis in the Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley.

The next event is on:

• Thursday, 8 February
• From 9am to 1pm
• Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley

Come along for help with getting up to date with childhood immunisations, and any advice on family health.

The maternity circle will be providing additional support including providing information in pregnancy. Support for maternal health, family and baby wellbeing, and  baby weighing will also be available.

The AWC Modality nursing team will be there to offer advice on getting childhood immunisation up to date, and can advise on any concerns.

It’s a walk-in hub – so no need to book in advance. Just come along and the team will be happy to help!

Baby Circles across the Bradford District - from pregnancy onwards 

Baby Circles (also called Maternity Circles) are a safe and welcoming space for mums, dads and carers, from pregnancy through to your child being age 2.

You can come along to grab a cuppa, meet and chat with others, or seek further advice or support for your parenting journey.

There are now many Baby Circles and Maternity Circles up and running across our district. Activities will vary depending on the provider, but will range from play activities for babies, to wellbeing support and advice for their grown ups. 

We are listing as many Baby Circles and Maternity Circles as possible on the FYI website. Locations include:

• KAWACC, Marlborough Street, Keighley, BD21 3HU - Mondays, 12.30 to 2pm
• The Vine Centre, Parsonage Road, Bradford, BD4 8PL - Tuesdays, 9.30 to 11.30am
• Allerton Health Centre, Hollyns Side, Bell Dean Road, BD15 7WA - Tuesdays, 10am to 1pm
• The Gateway Centre, Thackeray Road, Bradford BD10 0JR - Wednesdays, , 9:30 to 11:30am
• TFD Family Hub, Broadstone Way, Bradford, BD4 9BU - Thursdays, 12.30 to 2pm
• KHL, Scott Street, Keighley, BD21 2JH - Thursdays, 12.30 to 2pm

To keep up to date, or find out what's local to you, use the FYI What's On directory and search 'Baby Circle' or Maternity Circle'. 

Directory Search Page | Bradford Families and Young Persons

Help your child get a better night's sleep

The Together Trust charity is offering free support both face-to-face (in person) and over the telephone to help families with a child aged 2 to 11 who has sleep difficulties. 

The sessions are for parents/carers to attend. The sessions are free but you must book your place.

Together Trust will provide advice, information and practical approaches to help your child improve their sleep.

All sessions are open to families across the Bradford District and Craven.

Sessions and workshops will be available as follows:

Sleep session - in person - 2 hours

This 2-hour session will include a presentation from a qualified practitioner, covering tips and strategies for sleep, and a chance to ask questions.

• Wednesday, 7 February
• 10am to 12 noon
• Bradford East Family Hub, 365 Barkerend Road, Bradford, BD3 8QX
• Open to families across the Bradford District and Craven. 

Sleep workshop - in person - 4.5 hours

This 4.5 hour session will take a more detailed approach and will include an opportunity to create your own sleep plan for your child. 

• Wednesday, 6 March
• 10am to 2.30pm
• Bradford East Family Hub, 365 Barkerend Road, Bradford, BD3 8QX
• Please bring your own lunch. 
• Open to families across the Bradford District and Craven. 

Sleep chat - by telephone - 20 minute appointments

A 20 minute phone call with a qualified sleep practitioner, to get individual advice for sleep issues. 

Appointments are available during sessions as follows:

• Tuesday, 6 February, 10am to12 noon
• Tuesday, 12 March, 10am to12 noon
• Wednesday, 17 April, 10am to12 noon
• Thursday, 9 May, 10am to12 noon
• Tuesday, 11 June, 10am to12 noon
• Wednesday, 10 July, 10am to12 noon
• Monday, 5 August, 10am to12 noon

Book your place

To book a telephone sleep chat or a place at the face-to-face sessions, please email admintss@togethertrust.org.uk, and include:

• Your full name
• Preferred session and date
• Contact telephone number (if you are requesting a telephone sleep chat). 

Together Trust - sleep training for professionals 

Three 'Sleep training' courses are available from the Together Trust charity, for professionals in the Bradford District and Craven, to help you advise and support families. 

All training sessions are free, but must be booked in advance.

Online course - one day

This course, held live on MS Teams, will include an introduction to sleep science and sleep disorders, and will provide advice on creating a good sleep environment and other strategies to support good sleep.

Dates and times available:

• Tuesday, 6 February - 9.30am to 2.30pm
• Wednesday, 21 February - 9.30am to 2.30pm

Face-to-face course - one day

This face-to-face course will include an introduction to sleep science and sleep disorders, and will provide advice on creating a good sleep environment and other strategies to support good sleep.

The course will be held at CNET Enterprise Hub, Bradford.

Dates and times available:

• Wednesday, 20 March - 10am to 3pm
• Wednesday, 24 April - 10am to 3pm

Please bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. 

Face-to-face course - two day

This course is more in-depth than the one-day course. It will include sleep training methods, problem solving, sleep assessments, and how to write a sleep plan, with case studies to provide examples. 

You must attend both days. The course will be held at CNET Enterprise Hub, Bradford.

Dates and times available:

• Wednesday, 13 and Thursday, 14 March - 10am to 3pm
• Wednesday, 15 and Thursday, 16 May - 10am to 3pm

Book your place

To book a place or find out more, please email SleepTraining@togethertrust.org.uk, and include:

• Your full name
• Job title
• Preferred session and date

Children's Mental Health Week - 5 to 11 February

Children’s Mental Health Week, promoted by the Place2B charity, will take place from 5 to 11 February 2024. 

Children should not have to face mental health problems alone. This Children’s Mental Health Week we want all children and young people, whoever they are, and wherever they are, to be able to say - and believe - 'My Voice Matters'.

The Place2B charity has created free resources so that as many people as possible can help support children's mental health. These resources include support for primary schools, secondary and high schools and families, parents and carers.

Even before birth, children's mental health is starting to develop, and it is never too soon to start nurturing a baby's developing brain. 

The FYI (Families and Young Person's Information) website provides helpful advice and support for children's mental health, including the Mental Health Support Team which links with schools. This team holds monthly zoom sessions for parents (morning and evening),find out more here: Mental Health Support - children and young people | Bradford Families and Young Persons

Services provided by Family Hubs and Start for Life - and by many of our partners across the district - support children's' mental health from the earliest point possible.

Baby Steps, Perinatal Support, Little Minds Matter, Jump Aboard and Incredible Years are just some of our programmes that directly support children's mental health. Take a look at the Family Hubs and Start for Life pages on FYI to find out more, or call in at a Family Hub. 

Our Ready to Relate training is also available to practitioners, to help our workforce interpret babies' mental health cues. Details of this are also on FYI Ready to Relate training programme | Bradford Families and Young Persons.

Bradford Food Survey - take part and receive a £15 gift card as a thank you

Do you have a child aged 3-11 and live in Bradford District? We would like to invite you to take part in a Born in Bradford (ActEarly) and Living Well online children’s food survey. 

What will I have to do?

The study involves keeping a record of all the food and drink your child has eaten in a day. This will be done online, on 4 different days, and takes about 15 minutes per day.

Why should I take part?

You will receive a £15 gift card for completing your child’s food diaries and you will be generating local evidence which will be used to improve the diets of children in Bradford district.

If you would like to find out more about the study or see if you are eligible visit https://redcap.link/4ynrtcaj, email BradfordFoodSurvey@bthft.nhs.uk, or contact Lisa Dowling 07890 418278. 

Latest Family Hub timetables - February

Our Family Hub area timetables show the sessions and activities that are taking place for families in the coming month.

Some sessions will need booking in advance - please contact your Family Hub if you would like to book a place.

Our Family Hubs around the district

Follow us on Facebook You can follow the FYI service and all the Family Hubs on Facebook: Bradford East  Bradford West Bradford South Shipley/Keighley FYI - Families and Young Person's Information

Our new format for Family Hubs and Start for Life newsletters

You might have noticed you now receive this newsletter directly from 'Family Hubs and Start for Life', making our newsletters easier to spot in your inbox!

Please save our address to your address book or favourites to help make sure you keep seeing future issues. Please don't reply to this email though - if you want to get in touch please email the Family Hubs (email addresses above), use fyi@bradford.gov.uk or use the other contact details at the bottom of this email. Thank you! 

Why have I received this email?

You have received this email from Family Hubs and Start for Life because you previously subscribed to receive Family Hub Information from one or more of our Family Hubs: Keighley and Shipley, Bradford East, Bradford South and Bradford West.

Stay subscribed to make sure you don't miss out on any future updates! 

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