Twyford

Wokingham Borough newest children’s centre in Twyford will be opening its door this month.

More families in Twyford are set to benefit from better support, advice and information thanks to the opening of another Wokingham Borough Council children’s centre.

The brand new, purpose-built children's centre in Twyford adds to similar one-stop-shop services already provided for young families at the Brambles Children’s Centre in Wokingham, The Ambleside Centre in Woodley, the Riverdale Children’s Centre in Earley, the Winnersh Children’s Centre and The Red Kite Centre in Shinfield. Finchampstead Children’s Centre will open next year.

The children's centre in Twyford, is located within the grounds of Colleton Primary School and families with children aged up to five years old, can access a wide range of support service from it.

And to mark the official opening of the centre, pop in and play sessions will run between Monday June 22 and Friday June 26. The sessions will take place on:
• Monday June 22 between 9.15am and 12noon
• Tuesday June 23 between 9.15am and 12noon and 1pm and 3.30pm
• Wednesday June 24 between 9.15am and 12noon and 1pm and 3.30pm
• Thursday June 25 between 9.15am and 12noon and 1pm and 3.30pm
• Friday June 26 between 9.15am and 12noon and 1pm and 3.30pm

The children’s centre in Twyford will have a family link worker who will work at the centre, and if needed, within a family home. The worker is there to help if parents feel isolated or have little or no family support. They let parents know what is happening in their local area and will be able to help them meet other parents to join in with activities and support them to access specialist services. It is also planned for health visitors and midwives to be on hand to offer drop-in sessions for pregnant mums and mums with their babies.

Advice will also be available on every day issues such as budgeting, finding a job and the emotional demands of children. Tips on parenting skills will also be offered as well as finding out about pre-school or child care places.

Jacqueline Riddles, children’s centre manager, said: “I am very excited about the new centre in Twyford opening its doors this month. There is a need locally for families to have somewhere to go with their children. Other centres around the borough have been inundated with families and they have accessed a real range of different services.

“It is vital that the services reach the families who need our support the most. As well as a range of activities such as play sessions, parents can also get access to help, support and advice on all aspects of family life.

“If families feel they have a voice about what services they would like to see in their local centre, it will be a success. Please get in touch if you have any ideas or suggestions of what you would like to see in the children’s centre in Twyford.”

Cllr Rob Stanton, executive member for Twyford children’s services, will be joining local families at the pop in and play session on Tuesday June 23. He said: “The services provided by Wokingham Borough children’s centres and the support they provide to families all help to ensure that young children get the best possible start in life which is a key priority for the borough council. I am delighted to be joining in the pop in and play session, to celebrate the opening of our newest children’s centre and I do hope many local families will join us at some point during the opening week to learn more about what is on offer in Twyford.”

The Twyford Children’s Centre is looking for a name. Local people are being invited to put forward their ideas for a name for the centre and all entries must be received by July 10. Please email your ideas to Jacqueline Riddles at jacqueline.riddles@wokingham.gov.uk or call 07786 320468.

Wokingham Borough Council ~ Twyford