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Young Parents

Young Parents

If you are a young parent living in Thurrock, Basildon or Brentwood there are a range of services offering advice and support.

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ADVICE & SUPPORT

Thurrock Reintegration Officer

The Reintegration Officer provides advice and support to pregnant teenagers and teenage parents living in Thurrock. The support provided varies depending on the needs of the individual and can include support to attend meetings and appointments, helping resolve issues around accommodation and benefits and one-to-one support.

The Reintegration Officer role is able to act as an advocate and negotiate with schools so that there is minimum interruption to education during and after pregnancy. Where appropriate, referral will be made to the Care To Learn scheme (see details above). For further information contact the Reintegration Officer on 07825 403058.

Teenage Mothers Group, West Thurrock Children’s Centre

The Teenage Mothers Group runs on Wednesdays from 12-2pm at the West Thurrock Children’s Centre. The group operates on a drop-in basis so new members are welcome to join at any time.

The group take part in a variety of activities including cookery, arts & crafts, child development and take regular fun day trips.

In addition counselling support is on hand along with information and advice about a wide range of issues.

A crèche facility is available on site for children aged 3 months to 5 years and transport is available to pick mum and baby up and return them home after the session.

If you would like to find out more please contact Debbie Shepherd on 07920 750949.

West Thurrock Children’s Centre
London Road
West Thurrock
Essex
RM20 3DR

Thurrock Young Fathers Project

The Thurrock Young Fathers Project provides teenage dads with advice and support to help them engage with pregnancy and their child’s development.

The structured 10-week programme covers health issues, relationships, child development, education/training and positive role models.

If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Andrew Cadman for further details on 07768 558324.

Teenage Parents Support Group – Connexions, Grays

The Teenage Parents Support Group runs from the Connexions Centre in Grays every Monday. The group provides support during and after pregnancy looking at issues such as health and child development. For further details, please contact the Reintegration Officer on 07825 403058.

Connexions Centre
24-28 Orsett Road
Grays
Essex
RM17 5EB

Essex Young Parents Support Service (The Cradle Project) – Basildon

young familyThe Essex Young Parents Support Service, known locally as ‘Cradle’ is a community service offering individual counselling / support and group work and practical advice to young parents under the age of 21 years old. The service is run by Rainer and is based within their premises in Basildon.

The service offers individual sessions with a parent infant specialist for young parents and their babies to: develop their relationship; build up confidence; think about feelings and the baby’s developmental stages; deal with practical problems such as feeding, sleeping etc.

The Young Parents Support Service also offers various ante/post natal groups and parenting workshops on subjects such as: becoming a parent; birth; being a parent; being a baby; how to manage as a single parent; and play groups.

To find out more contact Rainer on 01268 530620.

Essex Young Parents Support Service (The Cradle Project)
Rainer
Chester House
Chester Hall Lane,
Basildon,
SS14 3BG

Chill & Chat Group, Kaleidoscope Children’s Centre, Vange

For teenage parents and parents-to-be in the Basildon area, drop in for a casual chat or advice and support where needed – every Thursday between 1.30pm and 3.00pm. To find out more contact 01268 581478.

Kaleidoscope Children’s Centre
27 Riverview Court
Vange
Essex
SS16 4NF

Healthy Start

Healthy Start is here to help you and other young mums give your baby the very best start in life! If you’re under-18 and pregnant, you can get FREE milk, fruit and veg. Join Healthy Start and we’ll send you vouchers in the post that you can use at local retailers.

We’ll also send you coupons that you can swap for free vitamins, to help make sure that you and your baby get all the nutrients you need. Plus we’ll send you health information, tips and recipes to help you get the most out of your vouchers.

To find out more and for more information on how to sign up to receive vouchers please download the Healthy Start leaflet by clicking here.

Connexions

Connexions offers confidential advice and support on a range of issues. Go to www.estconnexions.co.uk for further details or contact your local Connexions centre below:
Basildon: 01268 501300
Brentwood: 01277 693300
Thurrock: 01375 413735

Thurrock Community Mothers

Thurrock Community Mothers is an informal and confidential home visiting programme in which friendly local mothers offer lots of useful ideas, reassurance and information as one parent to another. The Community Mothers also offer a Breastfeeding Support programme. For further details go to www.communitymothers.org.uk or contact 01375 858512.

Thurrock Community Mothers
23-25 Calcutta Road
Tilbury
Essex
RM18 7QT

Parentline Plus
Parentline Plus is a national charity supporting parents, contact them on 0808 800 2222 or go to www.parentlineplus.org.uk

CHILDCARE

Children’s Information Service

For information about childcare providers in your area contact:

Thurrock: 01375 652801.
Essex: 01245 440400

Care to Learn

If you are a parent under 20, Care to Learn can pay for childcare costs whilst you are in education or training – up to £160 per week. For further information go to www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn or contact your local Connexions Centre (see above) or if you live in Thurrock contact the Reintegration Officer on 07825 403058.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Care to Learn

If you are a parent and under 20 when you start learning, Care to Learn can pay for your childcare costs whilst you learn – up to £160 per week. For further information go to www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn or contact your local Connexions Centre (see above) or if you live in Thurrock contact the Reintegration Officer on 07825 403058.

Thurrock & Basildon College

The college has campuses in both Thurrock and Basildon offering a range of full-time and part-time courses.

The college are also running a Successful Teenage Parenting Course focusing on Healthy Living, Pregnancy, Child Development and Parenting.

To find out about the courses available go to www.tab.ac.uk or contact 0845 6015746. Don’t forget to ask about Care to Learn funding towards the cost of childcare.

Palmers College

Palmer’s College is a Sixth Form College, go to www.palmers.ac.uk to find out more or contact 01375 370121. Don’t forget to ask about Care to Learn funding towards the cost of childcare.