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June 2024

Welcome to your June newsletter!

Over the last month there have been some brilliant family events at Bradford District's family hubs, including open days at Reevy Hill and Rainbow Family Hubs, and an event at Farcliffe Family Hub arranged with local schools, which welcomed families whose children have special educational needs or disabilities.

Our Family Hubs were delighted to welcome families and their children and young people, and showcase the services and facilities, while also offering free fun and activities for all. We also launched our free Family Hub membership offer at these events - this will be available on a wider basis very soon. 

Thank you to all the families, colleagues, partners and schools who helped make these events a success! We have another event coming up at Barkerend Family Hub in July - more information about this is below.

As always, our monthly newsletter is packed with information for families and professionals. Please take a look and share with anyone who might find it useful! 

Family Fun and Coffee Morning at Barkerend Family Hub!

Barkerend Family Hub, at 365 Barkerend Road, Bradford, invites families to a FREE Family Fun and Coffee Morning on Thursday, 11 July, from 9am to 1pm.

Whether you are a regular visitor at the weekly coffee morning, or have never been before, please come along to this specially extended coffee morning until 1pm!

There will be plenty to keep younger children busy - and parents and carers can meet a wide range of services for useful information and advice. 

Everyone is welcome, and ALL the activities are completely FREE! 

• Free food and drinks
• Children’s play and activities for ages 0-5
• Crafts
• Mini gardeners - seed/seedling planting
• Sensory room open – children's play and relax zone
• Kid’s story time with the road safety team
• Meet Bradford Aquatics (swimming lessons service) - with kid's activity booklets and basic CPR training 
• Funded childcare advice
• Training and employment advice 
• Emergency services (police car)
• Meet the local neighbourhood wardens

PLUS – you can find out about the Family Hub’s FREE membership offer - with a free goodie bag for everyone that signs up!

Come and join the fun at Barkerend Family Hub, at 365 Barkerend Road, Bradford, BD3 8QX, on Thursday, 11 July, from 9am to 1pm.

No need to book, just turn up on the day.

You can also tell us if you're coming - or share the event with friends and family on Facebook! 

Hope to see you there. 

Are you an LGBTQIA+ parent or carer in the Bradford District?

Would you like to:

• use your voice
• connect with other parents
• make a meaningful difference to families like yours?

If so, we invite you to join the Family Hubs and Start For Life Parent and Carer Panel.

To find out more see: Parent and carer panels.

Or to register your interest please fill in the form here: Parent and carer panel registration.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Wise Owls drop-in advice sessions for families with concerns over toddler’s speech and language development

Each week, across each area of the Bradford District, BHT Early Education and Training Language Development Workers will be on hand to chat to parents and carers about any concerns that you may have over your toddler’s speech and language development at their Wise Owls Drop-in sessions. These free sessions are suitable for families with children aged 18 months – 4 years. 

The Wise Owls Drop-in advice sessions are term-time only and currently run as follows:

Bradford South

• Tuesdays – 1.00 to 2.00pm – Delph Hill Community Centre, 33 Summer Hall Ing, Wyke, BD12 8DL

Bradford West

• Fridays – 9.00 to 10.00am – Abbey Green Nursery, Green Lane, BD8 8HT

Keighley/Shipley

• Fridays – 9.30 to 10.30am – Owlet Children and Family Centre, Barncroft, Shipley, BD18 2JG

The Language and Development workers will also be dropping into playgroups around the rest of the Bradford district. Details will be promoted at the beginning of each week on Facebook via @BHTLanguageDevelopment, so please check there to keep up to date.

Who is Wise Owls for?

If you have concerns about one or more of the following, then come and have a chat with our friendly language development workers:

• My child is saying fewer than 50 single words.
• Myself or others can’t understand what my child is saying when he does say words.
• My child is not starting to put together short sentences with 2-3 words, such as ‘more juice’, ‘red car’, ‘bye nanna’.
• My child my child struggles to follow simple instructions such as "go get your shoes", "where’s the ball".

All families of 18 month – 4 year olds are welcome to come along if you have a language development question or need support. There is no need to book - just pop in. If you can’t get to a session, you can also give the team a ring on 01274 470141.

Wise Owls is funded by Family Hubs and Start for Life. 

Incredible Years Preschool – for parents and carers of children aged 3 to 4 years - NEW DATES FROM SEPTEMBER

"Incredible Years... has helped me to work though my son’s separation anxiety and he now walks into nursery on his own and settles happily."

"The course has made me more confident, and less anxious about how I am coping with parenthood."

These are just two amazing feedback quotes from families who have done Incredible Years!

Incredible Years Preschool helps families with children aged 3 or 4 years, to boost your child's development and confidence.

It's a great way to meet other parents and carers, and get 'life hack' tips to support your child's social, emotional, and language development, through positive praise and encouragement.

The sessions are for parents and carers - a free creche is available (with professional childcare support) to entertain and care for your child while you are at the session.

The next courses are starting across the Bradford District from September - please request your place now so you don't miss out! 

If getting to a particular venue is a problem, then transport can be arranged.

Professionals please note - this is a great time to recommend this course to your families and make a referral.

The programme will aim to support all referrals and self-referrals, but if oversubscribed, families with the greatest need will be prioritised.

Find out more, request a place (self-refer), or make a referral on the Parenting Programmes page on the FYI website. (Scroll down the Parenting Programmes page to find Incredible Years.)

This free programme for families across the Bradford District is funded by the district’s Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.  

Sleep Tight Bradford District and Craven - FREE specialist one-to-one sleep advice

Did you know, Sleep Tight Bradford District and Craven provides specialist one-to-one sleep clinics for parents of children, aged 2 to 11 years old, who are experiencing sleep difficulties - and it's all completely free. 

If you’re a parent or carer living in the Bradford District or Craven areas, Sleep Tight's sleep practitioners are here to help you with your child’s sleep. They will work with you to create a personalised sleep plan for your child, so everyone can get a good night’s sleep.

Appointments take place throughout the year and you can self-refer for an appointment at any time. Appointments take place on Zoom or by phone. You can state your preference when you refer.

Sleep Tight also have loads of information and advice on their website to support you and your family.

The service is provided by the Together Trust charity, working with the Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership.

Find out more here: Sleep Tight Bradford District and Craven | Together Trust

You can also find sleep support advice on the FYI website: Sleep Support | Bradford Families and Young Persons.

Monthly Parent Support Group - supporting emotional and mental health

Are you interested in how relationships help your children's brain development?

Drop in on the FREE parent and carer support group – online on Zoom.

The next support group will be held on:

• Tuesday 16 July 2024
• Two times are available - 10:30am and 7:30pm

The topic for July’s group is: "Supporting your child: Strengthening relationships"

The group will discuss:

• how relationships help our children's brain development
• strategies around strengthening family relationships
• how strong relationships increase self- confidence and ability to regulate emotions relationships

If you're interested in attending, please email the team at: mhstparentsupport@bdct.onmicrosoft.com

What is the Parent Support Group?

The Parent Support Group is an online group, held monthly, facilitated by NHS mental health practitioners. The group is a safe space for parents to get together, share their experiences and build positive relationships. A different subject is discussed each month, and parents will receive useful information and strategies around the chosen monthly topic.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme returns for summer

If your child gets benefits-related free school meals you can take advantage of free activities and experiences during the summer school holidays with the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

There are more than 100 HAF holiday clubs running this summer offering a huge range of fun activities at venues across the Bradford district.

Places are free for children who live in Bradford District and:

• are eligible for benefits-related free school meals and /or
• have special educational needs or disabilities.

Children also get a free healthy meal while at the club.

Places are limited and filling up fast so, take a look at what is on offer and book now to avoid missing out.

Learn more about HAF and book a club

Have your child's car seat checked this summer - for free!

Summer can mean fun days out, family visits, or trips away - but when did you last make sure your child's car seat was keeping them safe in the car?

The good news is, Bradford District's road safety team and Good Egg Safety are going on tour over the couple of months, to offer free checks for your child's car seat - and help put your mind at ease!

The dates confirmed so far are:

Thornbury Morrisons - Thursday, 11 July 2024

• Morrisons, Rushton Ave, Thornbury, Bradford BD3 7HZ
• 11am - 4pm
• https://www.facebook.com/share/QBKp5b9usdz1Jmfd/

Keighley Asda - Monday, 12 August 2024

• Asda, Bingley St, Keighley BD21 3ER
• 11am - 4pm
• https://www.facebook.com/share/VQgue8c9TDjeBKDV/

Bradford Asda - Friday, 6 September 2024

• Asda, Rooley Lane, Bradford BD4 7SR
• 11am - 4pm
• https://www.facebook.com/share/4HEnSHvJG85SdcTc/

More dates will be added - keep looking at the FYI website to see where the team will be visiting near you!

You can also look at the expert advice on fitting a car seat safely on the Good Egg website: Fitting a car seat (goodeggcarsafety.com)

Summer reading challenge 2024!

Get creative with Bradford Libraries as they kick start the summer with their ever-popular Summer Reading Challenge. 

This year the theme is Marvellous Makers and there will be over 130 free events and activities to support children’s creativity and reading skills throughout the summer. 

Children aged 4 to 12 years can sign up and receive incentives along the way to encourage reading. 

Sign up at a local library from 6 July onwards. 

You can join in at any point during the summer and register on the challenge to take part in events and activities.

Read the online booklet with details of events across the district: Bradford Libraries Summer Reading challenge 2024

Get social and follow Bradford Libraries on Facebook: Bradford Libraries.

Help for you and your baby!

Chat Health - instant support for feeding your baby

It’s now easier than ever to get advice from the friendly Community Infant Feeding team – just text your question or concern to 07312 263233 and get a response within working hours.

The Breastfeeding Chat Health service connects you to:

• confidential NHS advice via text
• answers to your breastfeeding questions or concerns
• details of your nearest support group or clinic

Find out more: Chat Health - Community Infant Feeding team.

Or to go straight to the service just text 07312 263233.

Baby wellbeing event - Thursday 11 July modality

Come along to a free and convenient baby health and wellbeing event at Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley (opposite Vodaphone) from 9am to 1pm on Thursday 11 July.

Provided by Modality and Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, with:

• Baby weighing station
• Childhood immunisations
• Walk-in MMR vaccines for children and adults
• Health and wellbeing advice and information
• Local services

Please come along – we look forward to seeing you!

Volunteering opportunity - community infant feeding team

Do you want to help create a positive baby feeding experience for families in our local area?

Do you have:

• Personal experience of breastfeeding?
• Time to volunteer on a regular basis?
• Experience of the services available for families in Bradford?
• The ability to access online training?

If yes, you could to train as a breastfeeding peer supporter and help out at our baby feeding support sessions!

For more information, chat to us at one of our baby feeding support sessions, or email: julie.newbold@bdct.nhs.uk

Baby feeding support sessions relating to this volunteer opportunity are currently held in:

• Ravenscliffe at The Gateway Centre
• Buttershaw at Reevy Hill Family Hub,
• Wrose at Wrose Health Centre
• Bingley at The Trinity Centre,
• Silsden at The Hive Community Centre
• Keighley at Rainbow Family Hub

Find out more about these sessions here: Baby feeding support sessions.

Baby feeding drop-in - at Farcliffe Family Hub

There is a lovely baby feeding drop-in support session at Farcliffe Family Hub, on Wednesdays from 11.30am to 2.30pm.

Please come along to access support from the breastfeeding support team, peer support volunteers and infant feeding specialists.

This session is delivered by Health for All and funded by Family Hubs and Start for Life.

Information is on the Bradford West Family Hub timetable (July) - or look on Facebook or call 01274 287968.

What's on guide - on FYI

Looking for summer holiday activities?

The FYI (Families and Young Person's Information) website has a What's On guide, which is kept up-to-date with events around the district for families, children and young people.

There are various filters to help you search, including by date, post code, age group and event category.

You can also search by 'key word' to find what you are interested in - just use the 'Search' function while you are on the What's On page. 

Take a look and find out what's happening near you!

Information and training
for professionals and practitioners

Professionals - do you work in the Bradford District or Airedale with families in pregnancy and with babies?

The FREE Ready to Relate training is for you - and dates are available for booking.

Research shows that babies are born ‘Ready to Relate’, seeking companionship and with innate communication skills.

Find out more about amazing babies and how to support the parent-infant relationship on this training, using the Ready to Relate resource cards, and the new digital web-based companion.

Through this training you will learn (or get a refresher on) skills to helps you facilitate important conversations with families about their baby.

What if you've already done the training?

If you have already done the Ready to Relate training, please look again at the website - look out for new sections on feeding and colic. Please remember to use your cards in sessions with families – families are providing great feedback!

• Ready to Relate digital companion to support infants and families: Ready to Relate – Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (bdct.nhs.uk)
• Ready to Relate resource information for professionals: Ready to Relate - BDCT

Course information and how to book

• The course is available two ways - online or in person.
• Multiple dates and training locations available - find one that suits you.
• Please book at least two weeks before your chosen date to allow time for mailing you your free resource pack.
• Book online using Evolve (Bradford Council and BCFT colleagues) or Learn and Develop Bradford (all other organisations).

Please click on the links to find out more - including a list of dates - and book your place:

• Link for Bradford Council and BCFT colleagues (goes to Evolve)
• Link for all other organisations - goes to Learn and Develop Bradford (you will need to create an account if you don't have one already)

More info about using Learn and Develop Bradford:

• Create an account with Learn & Develop Bradford / sign into your account
• ‘search’ for Ready to Relate
• Click on the course
• View dates and times
• Enrol on the next available course that is convenient to you.

Find out more on the FYI website: Ready to Relate training programme or if you have any questions contact Josephine Domanski: Josephine.Domanski@bdct.nhs.uk.

This free course for practitioners is funded by the district’s Family Hubs and Start for Life programme. 

Together Trust - sleep training for professionals: 
Dates available from July to August

'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 by emailing SleepTraining@TogetherTrust.org.uk.

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, 13 August - 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.

Held at CNET Enterprise Hub, Bradford, BD8 7JF.

Dates and times available:

• Thursday, 11 July - 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, BD8 7JF.

Dates and times available:

• Wednesday, 3 July and Thursday, 4 July - 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

Family Hubs and Start for Life
useful information and contacts

Latest Family Hub timetables - June

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 Keighley/Shipley FYI - Families and Young Person's Information

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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