UK
A group of mothers have taken control of two children’s centres that were earmarked for closure.
In a move believed to be the first of its kind in the country, the group of mothers has formed a community interest company to run the Staffordshire centres.
The group, called Spark, initially set up a petition to campaign to keep the centres in Boney Hay and Springhill open, before deciding to bid to manage the centres themselves.
The two centres were among the 43 children’s centres proposed for closure in Staffordshire in 2014. They had been due to close in March, but the council extended service provision by six months following a petition by parents.
Esther Allen, a teacher and member of the group, said the centres will open under new management on 7 September. “We are running the company with four directors made up of a teacher, nurse, accountant and social worker," she said.
She said volunteers will help to run the centres and a steering group has been formed of group leaders and parents of children's centre users. “We are applying for funding from local councils and councillors, and we are applying for charitable grants.”
The group will also raise funds by hiring out some of the centre’s rooms on evenings and weekends.
Allen said she hopes the group will become self-sustainable in the future. “If we hadn't stepped in I feel there could have been serious implications for young families in the town,” she said. “Many families who would benefit from peer support and opportunities to socialise would have been isolated, and referrals to services would have increased putting more pressure on already stretched budgets.
The group worked with Sue Woodward, county councillor for Burntwood North, to devise plans to save the centres from closure.
Woodward said, “Here, we have a group of mums who didn't want to lose these dedicated centres, tailor-made for toddler groups and family support, so they rolled up their sleeves and set to work. I couldn't be more proud of them. These centres now, with the community behind them, have a real chance, not just to continue, but to thrive."
“I think it’s a possible solution in other areas but it is dependent on co-operation between councils and other public services. Most importantly though, it depends on the commitment of local residents who feel that the services provided and the centres themselves are worth fighting for.”
Mike Lawrence, Staffordshire County Council's lead member for children, said, “To help the transfer at those two centres we extended our contracts there by six months, and worked with the parents to establish a community interest company.
“I’m very pleased their hard work has paid off and wish them every success for the future.”
Alison O’Sullivan, president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, said that resources are diminishing, while need is not.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the status quo and a radical rethink to the delivery of a range services to children, young people and their families is now needed," she said.
“Community groups have, in recent years, stepped in to run libraries and youth clubs and it seems increasingly likely that authorities will be working much more closely with local residents to support the delivery of these valuable services rather than providing the services themselves.”
Jess Brown
1 September 2015
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/news/1153439/parents-take-over-running-of-threatened-childrens-centres#sthash.9AALwsJx.dpuf
