Young parents get home safety tips
Improving the knowledge and skills of young parents and increasing child safety in the home are two of the aims of a project supported by Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign.
The project, based in Nuneaton and Bedworth, teaches young parents about topics such as sexual health and healthy eating, and answers any queries they may have about their toddlers – plus they can have access to the PATCHES scheme offering child safety equipment for free.
It is overseen by the Healthy Living Network and is funded by the Narrowing the Gap initiative. Partners involved include Respect Yourself, Bromford Housing, Connexions Coventry and Warwickshire, and Nuneaton & Bedworth Leisure Trust.
A number of sessions have already been carried out at the Bedworth Early Years and Nursery Centre, and Hadley Mews – with dates being set for Abbey Children’s Centre. Outreach workers regularly spend time in Bedworth Town Centre to encourage young parents to take part.
Sonya Johnson, manager for the Healthy Living Network, said: “The aim of this project is to ensure that the children of young parents are kept safe in the home with the fitting of safety equipment such as fireguards, stair gates and latches.
“In addition, there is the opportunity to provide the young parent with knowledge that will help their children get the best start in life, and introduce them to other services, which they may find useful. It also helps to raise their own aspirations by increasing their self-esteem.
“Six young mothers now regularly attend classes like Weight Busters or take their children swimming, because the project has helped them build confidence.”
Kathy Siddle, Warwickshire Respect Yourself Campaign Co-ordinator, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for young parents to get together, take part in learning that they are interested in, find out more about what is happening locally and above all ensure that their home is safe for their children.
“So far, 53 families have taken up the chance for a home safety advisor to call round for advice and to fit equipment such as cupboard latches or stair gates should they need it.”
It comes ahead of Child Safety Week between 22 and 28 June, when all children’s centres will be offered displays promoting child safety in the home.
For more information about the Respect Yourself Campaign, visit http://www.respectyourself.info.
Entities for this story
- Abbey Children’s Centre
- Bedworth Town Centre
- Bedworth Early Years and Nursery Centre
- Hadley Mews
- home safety advisor
- manager for the Healthy Living Network
- Sonya Johnson
- Kathy Siddle
- Abbey Children
- Coventry
- Warwickshire
- safety equipment
- scheme offering child safety equipment
- Nuneaton & Bedworth Leisure Trust
- www.respectyourself.info