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October 2024

Welcome to your October newsletter!

This month's newsletter is a bit early as it's half term holidays (for most of Bradford District's schools) next week. If you are looking something to do, there are spooky Halloween events at Reevy Hill Family Hub and Rainbow Family Hub - and as always you can find what's happening on the Family Hub timetables and the FYI (Families and Young Person's Information) website What's On guide. 

We are very excited this month to be announcing how Family Hubs and Start for Life is getting involved with Baby Week Bradford in November. We will be taking an amazing Wiggle Room Play Bus to four venues across the Bradford District - and also offering free minibus transport to two other Baby Week events. Find out more in the article below.

Other big news this month includes the launch of new IT equipment in our district's Family Hubs to support 'digital inclusion' - helping people get access to online services and improving skills and confidence.

As always, our monthly newsletter is packed with information for families and professionals about the wide range of free support for families funded by Family Hubs and Start for Life and other trusted Bradford District organisations. We also include the links to our Family Hub timetables and other pages on the FYI website, where this is all listed.

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

Getting ‘BUSY’ with Family Hubs and Start for Life, during Baby Week Bradford

Baby Week Bradford is coming up from 14 to 20 November, and we are getting ‘BUSY’ - with a Wiggle Room Play Bus AND free minibus transport - to help Bradford District's families with babies and children aged 0 to 3 to join in the fun.

The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme is funding the Wiggle Room Play Bus at four venues across the Bradford District during Baby Week:

• Thursday, 14 November - Farcliffe Family Hub
• Monday, 18 November - Barkerend Family Hub
• Tuesday, 19 November - TFD Family Hub
• Wednesday, 20 November - Cliffe Castle Museum (in association with Keighley and Shipley Family Hub)

Inside the Wiggle Room Play Bus you will find a ball pool, slides and tunnels, soft play, and disco lights to add to the atmosphere. There will also be giveaways and information about family hub services. Families can hop on anytime from 9.30am to 2.30pm and it’s all free.

During Baby Week Bradford we are also offering free minibus transport from two of our family hubs to two other fantastic family play events.

• On Thursday, 14 November, families can get on board a free shuttle bus between Farcliffe Family Hub and the 'Storyland Play Day' event at City Library, Bradford. The shuttle bus will run from 10.30am to 2pm, starting and finishing at Farcliffe.

• On Tuesday, 19 November, families can get on board a free shuttle bus between TFD Family Hub and the 'Happy Hearts Play Day' at Sedbergh Leisure Centre, Bradford. The shuttle bus will run from 10.30am to 2pm, starting and finishing at TFD.

These events and lots more are all listed on the FYI (Families and Young Person's Information) website: Baby Week Bradford. 

Bradford – are you ready to play?

The full programme of events and activities for Baby Week Bradford 2024 – with the theme 'Playful Starts and Happy Hearts' - is now live at www.babyweekbradford.org!

Included in this year’s exciting line-up are:

• Drop-in family play days at City Library, Sedbergh Sports and Leisure Centre and Cliffe Castle Museum
• The Wiggle Room Play Bus - parking up at a different location every day throughout the week including Farcliffe, Barkerend and TFD Family Hubs and Cliffe Castle Museum
• Woodland walks and nature play
• Building a Happy Baby workshop
• The return of the Baby Week Wiggle

And lots more! Find the full range of events at www.babyweekbradford.org and join in this free festival of play with your bumps, babies and toddlers.

Baby Week spotlight - Woodland Walks with Early Years Alliance Our friends at Early Years Alliance are hosting some fantastic events for families during Baby Week Bradford! Alison from EYA explained: "Through our weekly free Play and Learn sessions that run across Bradford, we know how important it is for families to spend time together playing and discovering the world. "During this year's Baby Week, we are taking some of our sessions outdoors to local parks for a series of FREE Woodland Walks – a chance for families to explore being out and about in nature, boosting well-being and connecting you with the amazing parks and spaces we have in Bradford. Each walk will be led by Early Years Alliance staff who will guide families on a journey through the trees, taking time to talk to your little ones about what they can see, hear, smell and touch. There will be stops along the way to make discoveries and share songs and stories with activities using the natural resources that we find. Why not join a free walk near you? No need to book, just come along. Rain or shine, dress for the weather! (Please note children must be accompanied by an adult). Cliffe Castle, Keighley Monday, 18 November - 9.30 to 10.30am  Cliffe Castle park, BD20 6LH  Meet on the grass area, just through the main gates at the museum/car park Horton Park, Bradford Tuesday 19 November - 9.30 to 10.30am  Horton Park, BD7 3EG Meet by the Horton park plaque on the grass area, just though the main gates by the car park Harold Park, Bradford Wednesday 20 November - 9.30 to 10.30am  Harold Park. BD12 0EW  Meet by the main entrance to the park on Cemetery Road Peel Park, Bradford Wednesday 20 November - 1 to 2pm  Peel Park, BD3 OLT  Meet at the grass area next to the children’s play area on Cliffe Road These sessions and more are all listed at www.babyweekbradford.org. Early Years Alliance also hold monthly stay and play sessions at our family hubs across the district - these are all listed on the family hub timetables - or get in touch with a family hub to find out more.

Get online with the Family Hubs' brand new Google laptops

The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme has recently funded 42 brand new laptops, for use by families and local residents at seven of the Bradford District's family hubs.

The laptops were introduced during Get Online Week, from 14 to 20 October 2024. During this week, our development officer, Laura, visited the family hubs, attending family sessions and holding drop-ins, to trial the new equipment and give parents and carers support in getting online.

The laptops are provided to support ‘digital inclusion’ - helping more people get online to carry out the everyday tasks that are often taken for granted.

According to the Good Things Foundation, which coordinates Get Online Week, around 1 in 14 households in the UK have no home internet access, making basic tasks such as applying for a job, filling in online forms, or even applying for a school place for their child more challenging.

The new laptops are being offered across seven of the Bradford district’s family hubs: Reevy Hill, TFD, Farcliffe, Barkerend and Gateway in Bradford; and Rainbow and Strong Close in Keighley. 

Since the launch during Get Online Week, our family hubs have starting adding digital drop-in sessions onto timetables. The equipment could also be used in a range of sessions including homework clubs, skills and advice drop-ins, and so on. The laptops can also be made available at other times, to be used by families while visiting the family hub.

The laptops can be used in a range of languages, and easy to follow guidance is being provided to support people who have less confidence in getting online. 

If you would like to find out more, please check the family hub timetables or contact your nearest family hub that has the equipment: Reevy Hill, TFD, Farcliffe, Barkerend, Gateway, Rainbow or Strong Close.

Get online - digital drop-in sessions at our Family Hubs

Following the successful launch of 42 brand new Google laptops across seven of our district's family hubs, the hubs are now starting to offer digital drop-in sessions for families and local people get support with a range of online tasks.

With the deadline for applying for secondary school places approaching (on 31 October), this is a great time to get support to get online!

Sessions coming up soon include:

• Barkerend Family Hub, Bradford - Monday, 28 October - 10am to 12 noon - with support for secondary school applications.
• Reevy Hill Family Hub, Bradford - Wednesday, 30 and Thursday, 31 October - 1pm to 3pm - focusing on supporting families to apply for school places. 
• TFD Family Hub, Bradford - no set sessions, but support is available with a digital champion - please email familyhubsouth@bradfordcft.org.uk or phone the hub on 01274 434940 to book an appointment.
• Rainbow Family Hub, Keighley - Wednesday, 13 November 10.30am to 4pm.

More drop in sessions will be arranged; look out for details on the family hub timetables.

If you would like to use one of the laptops when there isn't a session booked, this can be offered - please contact or visit the family hub to arrange this. The laptops must be used within the family hub building. Laptops are available at Reevy Hill, TFD, Farcliffe, Barkerend, Gateway, Rainbow and Strong Close Family Hubs.

Don't forget about the other support offered to help families get online - this includes:

• Free, pre-loaded data SIM cards to give free mobile data. These cards are kindly provided by the Good Things Foundation.
• All our main hubs also offer free WiFi while you are in the building.

All this brilliant digital support is listed in the family hub timetables.

Baby feeding support sessions

Bradford district's NHS-run baby feeding support sessions are open to families who have any baby feeding questions, require support or just wish to meet other families.

The sessions offer support, guidance and advice for breastfed, bottle fed or combination fed babies from birth and beyond. The knowledgeable friendly team have the expertise to help you reach your feeding journey goals for your little one(s).

You can find these baby feeding support sessions weekly across the Bradford District's family hubs:

• Mondays: Gateway centre - 10am to 12 noon
• Last Monday of the month: Trinity Bingley - 10am to 11.30am (the next one is on 25 November)
• Tuesdays: Wrose Health Centre - 2pm to 3:30 pm
• Tuesdays: The Hive Silsden 11:45pm to 1:15pm (twice per month - next dates are 12 and 26 November)
• Wednesdays: Rainbow Family Hub Keighley - 11:30am to 2pm
• Thursdays : Reevy Hill Family Hub - 10am to 12 noon

No referral needed and no need to book. Please do come along!

All these baby feeding sessions, and more, are listed on the family hub timetables.

Ready to Relate - be the star of a photoshoot!

This November, Ready to Relate, which helps families and professionals better understand how amazing babies are, has asked a professional photographer to capture a series of natural and engaging pictures of parents and family carers with their young babies. 

If you're interested in taking part, please get in touch with Ready to Relate as soon as possible. If you're selected for this project you will be provided with photos from the photoshoot and a £50 Amazon voucher as a small thank you for your time.

Find out more here: We’d like to tell your story in pictures – Ready to Relate

Ready to Relate gets sociable!

Ready to Relate is now on a range of social media, including Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn! Find out more and get following here: Our social media feeds are now live – Ready to Relate.

Ready to Relate digital toolkit now available password-free

Ready to Relate has a fantastic digital toolkit for families. Following a successful trail period, this is now available for all families to use.

Find out more here: Our online toolkit is now available for all to use – Ready to Relate

Or go straight to the toolkit here: Ready to Relate toolkit – Ready to Relate 

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

Did you know the FYI (Families and Young Person's Information) website has amazing interactive resources to help you help your child with talking and communication? It has support for children aged up to 5 and you can even use this during pregnancy to talk to your (or your partner's) bump!

The materials and activities include:

• Talking Bradford online step-by-step guide (for ages 0-5)
• Fun and easy activities to try at home
• Find a free ‘Play and Learn’ group
• Talk to staff at your local Family Hub
• How to get extra support in the Bradford district

To find out more, visit Talking Bradford on the FYI website:

Talking Bradford pathway for families

There is also a section for the workforce: Talking Bradford pathway for Early Years practitioners. And if you are a professional working in this area, take another look at our September newsletter, which included free training from BHT for professionals in this our district and further Speech and Language Workshops for Practitioners.

Baby wellbeing event in November

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) in November.

The next event is on Thursday 14 November, from 9am to 1pm, and as it is during Baby Week Bradford, it will also include a Baby Week theme! 

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
• Pop-up maternity circles - meet other families

Please come along – we look forward to seeing you!

Preparation for Parenthood - free antenatal programme - BOOK NOW FOR NOVEMBER START

Are you or your partner pregnant, or do you know someone who is? You can join this fantastic FREE 6-session programme from HENRY, to help you prepare for your new baby's arrival. 

The next dates and times are:

• Barkerend Family Hub (BD3 8QX) – Thursday mornings, 10.00am to 12.00 noon, starting from 7 November
• The Hive, Silsden (BD20 0DE) - Wednesday evenings, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, starting from 6 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 programme 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 programme 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'.

Parent and carer support group - supporting emotional and mental health

The next support group, facilitated by NHS mental health practitioners, will be held on Monday, 18 November, at 10.30am and 7.30pm. The session is the same each time - please attend the time that suits you best. Please note the day change - on a Monday this month. 

The session is held on Zoom.

The topic for November’s group is:

Supporting your child: Social media and keeping your child safe

In this month's Parent Support Group, we will be discussing what social media is, how this may be used by children and young people and the potential impact that social media may have on emotional wellbeing. We will also think about strategies for keeping safe online.

If you are interested in attending, please contact the team at: mhstparentsupport@bdct.onmicrosoft.com.

What is the Parent Support Group?

The Parent Support Group is an online group, 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.

Information and training
for professionals and practitioners

Do you work with families in pregnancy and with babies? This FREE Ready to Relate training is for you!

A variety of dates are available for the free Ready to Relate training, online or in person.

The Ready to Relate training and digital resource is focused on the parent-infant relationship. It improves parent/carer confidence and leads to optimal brain development for babies.

Learn how to support the parent-infant relationship using #ReadytoRelate resource cards & the new digital web-based companion.

See training dates or book a place. If you have any questions, please email Josephine.Domanski@bdct.nhs.uk

In Our Place - poster and resources now available for practitioners, partners and workplaces

We all want all of Bradford District’s children to have the best start in life, and for people of all ages to be as happy and well as possible throughout their lives.

If you saw last month's newsletter, you will hopefully have read about the launch of In Our Place, a new online library of free, evidence-based courses for everyone in the Bradford District, which helps support this aim.

In Our Place is a fantastic additional resource which complements and enhances (but does not replace) our existing programmes and support for families. While for many families, a face to face programme will be their preferred option, there are also many families across the Bradford District for whom an easy-to-access online course is going to be more appropriate.

All the In Our Place courses are completely free for Bradford District residents with the access code – BDPARENTS.

As In Our Place is a universal offer for families and residents, we would really appreciate district-wide colleagues’ support in sharing the message across the district, to help ensure families find out about the right support that is available to them, at the right time. A toolkit has been created on the FYI website which includes a poster that can be printed out for display, as well as other resources including for social media. The toolkit is available on the FYI website: In Our Place - communications toolkit | Bradford Families and Young Persons. Please get in touch with josephine.graham@bradford.gov.uk if you have any questions about the communications resources.

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! 

If you have been sent this email by someone else, you can sign up for future emails here: