Flying Start Projects across Wales benefit from nearly £3 million to improve facilities

15 May 2019 11:01 AM

50 Flying Start projects across Wales have been awarded nearly £3 million of Welsh Government funding to help improve, develop or extend the settings in which Flying Start provision takes place.

The Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Julie Morgan, yesterday confirmed funding for 50 projects focusing on building new facilities, building improvements, repair work and creating better access during 2019 to 2020.  

Flying Start supports families living in some of the most disadvantaged communities across Wales. It offers 12 and a half hours of high quality childcare a week for 2-3 year olds; support for the development of children’s speech, language and communication; parenting support; and an enhanced health visitor service.

Some of the projects receiving funding include: 

• £820,000 awarded to Powys Council to create new facilities on the current Priory Church in Wales Primary School. The new site will offer Flying Start childcare, Childcare Offer places, and a Flying Start office base.
• £365,000 awarded to Flintshire Council for the Aston Family Centre to replace the existing modular unit with a new one and extend the office space available. This will provide much needed additional facilities and increase the space available for the Flying Start team. 
• £150,000 to Blaenau Gwent Council to remodel, extend and improve the facilities at the Flying Start Hub in Ebbw Vale. The extra space will significantly increase the number of parents and children who can benefit from the Flying Start facilities in the area.
• £83,500 to Caerphilly Council to carry out construction work on the Canolfan Blant Integredig Parc Y Felin project. This includes separating the existing hall into two usable rooms in order to meet the demand for facilities, and to develop the outdoor play space. 
• £30,000 to Swansea Council to create a changing facility for children at the Craigfelen Flying Start Centre in Clydach.

Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Julie Morgan, yesterday said:

Flying Start makes a positive difference to families across Wales. The individual monies granted today vary in size but will help improve what can be delivered in the heart of the community. I look forward to seeing the developments take shape over the next year.