£6.9m capital investment prioritises early years support
19 Jan 2015 02:07 PM
Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths, has yesterday announced £6.9 million of capital funding for Flying Start, a scheme to support families in some of Wales’ most disadvantaged areas.
The Minister made the announcement at an awards ceremony in Cardiff, which recognises the valuable contribution hard-working Flying Start professionals make to people’s lives and children’s early years development.
The significant capital investment will fund the creation of childcare settings and places where parents will be able to access the help and support they need to cope with the pressures of poverty. This includes the creation of new childcare facilities in Abertillery, Blackwood and Carmarthenshire as well as improvements to existing Flying Start facilities across Wales.
The funding will also create jobs during the construction of new centres and improvements to existing projects, in addition to the creation of local jobs within the facilities.
Lesley Griffiths said yesterday:
“Having visited Flying Start facilities across Wales and talked to the families who have benefitted from the help and support provided by our dedicated staff, the huge impact the programme is having on people’s lives is clear to see.
“I am delighted to be here today to recognise the hard work and commitment shown by our Flying Start professionals and announce £6.9 million to help continue to give children from our most deprived communities the best possible start in life.
“This funding will support 40 new capital projects across Wales to ensure we have the facilities we need to meet our commitment to double the number of children benefitting from Flying Start to 36,000 by 2016.”
Flying Start offers free part-time quality childcare for 2-3 year olds, parenting support, an enhanced health visitor service and help for early language development.
The Minister added yesterday:
“I have been very inspired by the many stories I have heard today – I am proud of the Flying Start team and what they continue to achieve. The award winners and nominees are just a small number of our very many passionately dedicated Flying Start staff. Today is an opportunity to acknowledge the work they do each day to change people’s lives.
“Congratulations to all today’s award winners!”
Over 120 local parents and carers nominated Flying Start staff who had made a significant difference in their children’s lives.
Those set to receive regional awards from the Minister and in the running for the main award include:
- Doris Crossman - a parenting officer from Cenarth, Ceredigion who helped a mother settle into the local community and overcome her worries at being a parent for the first time
- Mike Davies – a parent support worker from Swansea who provided invaluable support to help a father build a stronger relationship with his children and family
- Jo Parry – a health visitor from Flintshire who provided life changing 24/7 support to a mother and father who were daunted by the imminent arrival of their new baby
- Vicki Owens – a midwife from Porthcawl who supported a new mother and helped her overcome the challenges of being a parent for the first time
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