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August 2024

Welcome to your August newsletter!

It's been a super summer across Bradford District's Family Hubs! During August we welcomed families at fun days, summer holiday activities and special events across all our Family Hubs. Feedback from families has been fantastic, with parents and carers saying the Family Hub is "an amazing family place to access" and the events provided "a really interactive session for kids".

Our Family Hubs also helped families get ready for the coming term with school readiness sessions, free school uniform exchanges and more. If your child or children are starting a new school or moving up a year in September, we wish you a smooth transition. 

In this month's newsletter we update you on the new season of sessions and support for families from many of our partnership organisations around the Bradford District. There are helpful links to updated information on the FYI website including toilet training and coping with babies' crying.

There is also 'hot off the press' information for our brilliant workforce across the district including a 'save the date' for an Early Years autumn conference from St Edmunds. 

As always, our monthly newsletter is packed with information for families and professionals, including the ever-popular links to our Family Hub timetables.

Please take a look and share the newsletter with anyone who might find it useful.

Save the dates - Baby Week Bradford returns from 14 to 20 November 2024!

Baby Week Bradford, the annual celebration of babies and all those who care for them, is back from 14-20 November 2024 with Playful Starts and Happy Hearts, celebrating all things play.

As usual, there’ll be district-wide events, lots of activity ideas, and some wiggling (of course), all to explore how important play is for babies’ development, health and happiness – and yours too.

More details will be released in the coming weeks with the full programme of events published in mid-October.

If you’d like to join the mailing list to receive information as it’s announced, please register here.

Please save the dates and tell your friends, neighbours and colleagues to do the same!

Little Minds Matter is #HereToHelpYou

Little Minds Matter supports parents, carers and professionals to help babies get the best possible start in life.

They offer therapy and support to families with babies and toddlers from conception to the age of two.

Little Minds Matter works with families

Little Minds Matter offers support to families across Bradford District. Support is tailored to the needs of the family and can be individual or group work.

The Circle of Security parenting group has gained positive feedback from families who attend. One parent said: “I attended the course to help eliminate my anxiety around being a single mother and often feeling I'm not good enough. The course helped me understand my child’s needs/behaviour and taught me how to meet his needs.”

The service is receiving increasing numbers of referrals for unborn babies, showing it is never too early to start providing mental health and wellbeing support.

If you are a parent or carer who is having difficulty with your relationship with your baby, or a professional who knows of a family who may benefit from our support, please contact Little Minds Matter by phone on 07766 568 407 or complete this online form and someone will be in touch.

Keep in touch with LMM on your socials!

Did you know Little Minds Matter is on various social media platforms offering videos, news, ideas, advice and updates?

Content on Facebook and Instagram includes activities for bonding and brain development, and details of offers and events for parents, carers and families.

X (formerly Twitter) is used to communicate key events and successes with clinicians and professionals across the UK.

Little Minds Matter also publish to YouTube and TikTok occasionally, such as for big events. 

All the links are here on the ‘Link Tree’: https://linktr.ee/littlemindsmatter

Professionals, please look out for more information tailored to you, further down this newsletter in the ‘professionals and practitioners’ section.

Little Minds Matter is partly funded by Family Hubs and Start for Life.

NEW Baby Feeding drop-in at Bevan Wellbeing Centre

The Breastfeeding Support Team has started a Baby Feeding drop-in in partnership with Bevan Babies.

The drop-in runs every Thursday morning between 9:30am and 11:30am at Bevan Wellbeing Centre, 14 Piccadilly, Bradford, BD1 3LS.

There is no need to book, just come along. Everyone is welcome, regardless of where you live or how old your baby is.

You are also very welcome to come along if you are pregnant and would like to have a chat about baby feeding. Our friendly baby-feeding support workers are available to answer questions and give face-to-face support. We would love to see you there!

For more information, please contact the Breastfeeding Support Team on 01274 287 968 or visit our facebook page.

To find out more about Bevan Babies and what else is on offer at Bevan, please visit their website.

This new drop-in session has been funded by Family Hubs and Start for Life. 

Preparation for Parenthood - free antenatal course to help you get ready for your new baby - DATE CHANGES

Are you or your partner pregnant, or do you know someone who is?

New dates are available for this fantastic FREE 6-session programme from HENRY, to help you prepare for your new baby's arrival.

Since the last newsletter there have been a couple of date changes and a NEW evening session has been added at The Hive, Silsden.

The next dates and times are:

• Online – Monday mornings, 9.30am to 11.30am, starting from 9 September
• Farcliffe Family Hub (BD8 8QH) – Monday afternoons, 1pm to 3pm, starting from 9 September
• Reevy Hill Family Hub (BD6 3ST) – Tuesday mornings, 10am to 12 noon, starting from 17 September
• The Hive, Silsden (BD20 0DE) - Wednesday evenings, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, starting from 6 November
• Barkerend Family Hub (BD3 8QX) – Thursday mornings, 10.00am to 12.00 noon, starting from 7 November
• More online courses starting on 12 November and 13 January

You can attend any session depending which place, day or time works best for you.

You can attend at any point during your pregnancy. 

Your partner, or a friend or family member is encouraged to come along with you. 

The course includes:

• Information to help you feel more confident about having a healthy pregnancy, giving birth, bonding with your new baby, and caring for them.
• Practical, evidence-based information to support you as you prepare to become a parent.
• A great opportunity to meet other expectant parents and build friendships within your community.

This course has been funded by Family Hubs and Start for Life.

To find out more visit the HENRY programmes and workshops on FYI and scroll down to 'Preparation for Parenthood'.

Play and Learn sessions across Bradford District with Early Years Alliance

Did you know that Early Years Alliance runs weekly play and learn sessions for families with young children (aged 0-5) each week in Bradford District that are free to attend?

Why not come along and join us for some fun exploring and learning through play!

The groups are term-time only and are due to start up again from Monday, 9 September – we’d love to see you there.

All sessions are free and places are allocated on a first come, first served basis

Places and days/times:

Keighley Library
Monday mornings from 9.30am to 10.30am
North Street, Keighley BD21 3SX 

Shipley Library
Monday afternoons 1pm to 2pm
2 Wellcroft, Shipley BD18 3QH

Eccleshill Library
Tuesday afternoons from 1pm to 2pm
Bolton Rd, Eccleshill, Bradford BD2 4SR

Woodside Children's Centre
Wednesday mornings 9am to 10.30am
Fenwick Drive, Bradford BD6 2PG

Community Works*
Wednesday afternoon 12.45pm to 2.15pm
Community Works, Undercliffe La, Bradford BD3 0DW
* Please remember you will need to leave your pram/pushchair outside and bring something with you to secure it.

Reevy Hill Family Hub
Thursday afternoons 1pm to 2.30pm
Reevy Hill Family Hub, Bedale Drive, Bradford, BD6 3ST

Abbey Green Nursery School
Thursday afternoons 1pm to 2.30pm
Green Lane, Bradford BD8 8HT

Black Women's Health in Pregnancy

The Black Women's Health in Pregnancy Project is aimed at understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by Black and Dual Heritage women and birthing people during your maternal journey.

By looking into local contexts and listening to your voices the project tries to address the health inequalities and improve maternal outcomes.

Seeking your experiences through survey and focus group

Are you a Black or Dual Heritage woman who has given birth in Bradford in the last 2 years – or are you a birthing person, for example a midwife or doula?

Your information is vital in driving forward change in maternity services for the district. Please take this opportunity to share your past and present maternity journey, experiences and stories.

There are two ways to be involved.

Questionnaire

Please fill out the survey here: Understanding barriers to good maternal health amongst black women Survey (surveymonkey.com)

Focus group

At the 2 hour focus group we will discuss questions like:

• Did you feel heard and listened to at your appointments?
• Were you properly informed of the options available to you?
• Did you feel care was personalised to you?

Light lunch will be provided. Children are welcome. You will receive a thank you voucher for attending.

Thursday, 11 September 2024, 12 noon to 2pm, Millside Centre, Bradford BD1

For further information please contact Carol by phone on 07444 589 414 or by email at blackhealthbradford@outlook.com.

To anyone who needs to hear this right now - it is normal for a baby to cry

All babies cry, and some more than others. Crying is your baby’s way of telling you they need comfort and care.

Coping with a crying baby can be very hard and stressful. It can be very difficult to work out what they need.

ICON is a helpful reminder of how to cope with your crying baby.

• I - Infant crying is normal - it will stop, and there are people around to support you.
• C - Comfort methods such as skin-to-skin contact can soothe your baby. Also they might be crying for a particular reason, such as a dirty nappy.
• O - it's OK to walk away from your baby for a few moments if they are safe and you need a break from the crying. Return to your baby after a few minutes when you have calmed down.
• N - Never, ever shake or hurt a baby

If you are worried your baby may be ill, always seek medical help.

There is lots of information on the FYI website - please take a look here. Coping with my baby crying | Bradford Families and Young Persons

When is the best time to start potty training?

You never expect toilet training to be a trending topic, but that is exactly what happened last week, when a charity released research about toilet training and it hit the news. Intervention as one in four school starters not toilet trained - BBC News

The truth is, teaching little ones to use the potty or toilet takes time and patience. They all learn and develop differently.

The FYI (Families and Young Person's Information) website has lots of information to help families with this important stage, including information from the expert charity ERIC. It also answers the question about when is the best time to start!

Take a look at the FYI page here: Toilet training.

Do you want to help your child get a better night's sleep? 

If you are the parent/carer of a child aged 2-11 years in the Bradford Disttirct, and your child is experiencing sleep difficulties, you can get support from the Together Trust.

Parents and carers can either sign up for a one-to-one consultation, or sign up to a live parent webinar.

You will receive a short presentation around sleep with useful tips and strategies followed by time for questions.

Parents and carers can sign up for a one to one appointment or the webinar - or even do both! It is completely free of charge.

Below is the link to sign up.

Sleep Tight Bradford District and Craven referral form | Together Trust

Drop-in sessions

Don't forget there are also drop in sessions around the district - the next two sessions are:

• Tuesday, 24 September, 9am to 11am, at Community Works, Undercliffe Lane, Bradford BD3 0DW

• Wednesday, 9 October, 10am to 11:30am, Farcliffe Family Hub, 56 Toller Lane, Bradford, BD8 8QH

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

Sleep Tight

Find out more about the Together Trust and Sleep Tight services 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.

Hope 4U - support for new parents across the district

Pregnancy and a new baby can be tricky enough without having to navigate the rising cost of living.

HOPE 4U (hope for you) can help people with utility debts, maternity grants and benefit checks, along with lots of other support.

The Hope 4U service is available to expectant and new parents across Bradford District and Craven.

Support is provided by telephone with interpreting if required, to enable families to access a range of financial advice to those in need.

Any professional can refer, or families can refer themselves. Hope 4 U will continue to provide support to the family for as long as needed, throughout pregnancy and the first year following birth.

Find out more here: Expectant & New Mothers | HOPE 4U

Practitioners making new referrals - please send the name, contact number and support required to ngn@hope4u.co.uk.

More information is also available on the FYI website: Hope4U financial advice

Baby wellbeing events this autumn

If you’re based in or near Keighley, please come along to the FREE and convenient, baby health and wellbeing event at Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley (opposite Vodaphone) on a number of new dates this autumn.

• Thursday 19 September, 9am to 1pm
• Thursday 24 October, 9am to 1pm
• Thursday 14 November, 9am to 1pm

Provided by Modality Partnership 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
• Maternity circles - meet other families

Please come along – we look forward to seeing you!

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.

Chat Health receives funding from Family Hubs and Start for Life. 

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

When did you last make sure your child's car seat was keeping them safe in the car?

If you've missed these sessions over the summer, the good news is you still have chance to catch Bradford District's road safety team and Good Egg Safety at their free events offering to check your child's car seat - and help put your mind at ease!

Upcoming dates are:

Bradford Asda - Friday, 6 September 2024

• Asda, Rooley Lane, Bradford BD4 7SR
• 11am - 4pm
• Bradford - Child Seat Community Checking Event | Facebook

Bradford Morrisons (Idle) - Tuesday, 24 September 2024

• Morrisons, 275 Bradford Road, Idle, BD10 8EG
• 11am - 4pm
• Bradford - Child Seat Community Checking Event | Facebook

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)

Information and training
for professionals and practitioners

Little Minds Matter is here to help professionals

Professional consultations and reflective space

Little Minds Matter offers a range of services to professionals working with families in the first 1,001 critical days of life, from conception to age 2 years.

Did you know, this includes consultations with professionals? In these sessions, Little Minds Matter support practitioners working with babies and their families to take a step back, reflect on your involvement and the involvement of others, whilst holding baby at the centre of your thinking.

Little Minds Matter also offers regular group reflective space through discussion sessions with universal/statutory and third sector services.

Professionals working with families can also access any of the weekly drop-in sessions for advice and consultation. All sessions can be booked by contacting Little Minds Matter by phone (01274 251298). or email LittleMindsMatter@bdct.nhs.uk.

Please see below for some of the feedback from professionals who have accessed our sessions:

“The consultation enabled me a reflective space with specialist professionals which helped me to see the situation more from the children's perspective.”

“Each time I learn something else about how I work with families, and it helps increase my confidence in watching the parent-infant relationship.”

To find out more, email LittleMindsMatter@bdct.nhs.uk or call 01274 251298.

Infant Mental Health Awareness Training

The infant mental health experts at Little Minds Matter have developed Infant Mental Health Awareness training for professionals working with babies or families. The training is currently being delivered in a bespoke format to the Bradford District's children’s social care workforce and BDCT 0-19 service.  A follow-up bespoke Infant Mental Health In Action training is also being offered to the BDCT 0-19 service.  Details of how to book on should be available within your organisation.

Little Minds Matter plan to advertise training dates for 2025 for the wider workforce working with babies or families in the Bradford District – so please look out for details when this is advertised.

Early Years Practitioners - Save the Date – 12 October 2024

The St Edmund’s Early Years Stronger Practice Hub works with settings and early years practitioners across West and South Yorkshire. We are holding our autumn conference this year on the morning of Saturday, 12 October, at the Cedar Court Hotel in Huddersfield.

There will be inspiring speakers, networking and the launch of Friends of 50 Things – a new quality award for providers, settings and agencies who promote 50 Things to Do in their work with parents.

Make sure the date is in your diary – booking details are coming soon on our social media channels, or beat the rush and be the first to get details by registering to receive information about all our professional development offers, newsletters and networking opportunities here Stronger Practice Hub sign up.

Together Trust - sleep training for professionals: 
Dates available from September 2024 to August 2025

'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.

Introductory course - one day - online or in person 

This 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 online course is held live on MS Teams.

The in-person course will be held in the Bradford area - venue to be confirmed after booking. Please bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. 

Dates and times available - in person

• Thursday, 17 October 2024 - 10am to 3pm
• Wednesday, 20 November 2024 - 10am to 3pm
• Thursday, 29 April 2025 - 10am to 3pm
• Tuesday, 17 June 2025 - 10am to 3pm
• Wednesday, 16 July 2025 - 10am to 3pm

Dates and times available - online

• Thursday, 26 September 2024 - 10am to 3pm
• Thursday, 12 December 2024 - 10am to 3pm
• Thursday, 27 February 2025 - 10am to 3pm
• Monday, 31 March 2025 - 10am to 3pm
• Wednesday, 21 May 2025 - 10am to 3pm
• Thursday, 21 August 2025 - 10am to 3pm

In-depth course - two days - in person training

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 in the Bradford area - venue to be confirmed after booking

Dates and times available:

• Wednesday, 6 and Thursday, 7 November 2024 - 10am to 3pm
• Tuesday, 18 and Wednesday, 19 March 2025 - 10am to 3pm
• Wednesday, 9 and Thursday 10 July 2025 - 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 - September

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

What's on guide - on FYI

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!

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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