Awareness Week - With One Clear Aim
Tuesday 23rd November
2010
The borough has been a hive of activity
throughout October as events have taken place to raise awareness
for both Child Poverty Day (on the 16th October) and
Parent’s Week (18th – 24th October). The
focus of the activity was improving children’s chances in life,
giving them the best start possible.
High levels of deprivation correlate strongly
with low life expectancy, unhealthy lifestyles, poor educational
attainment, high rates of worklessness, poor housing quality and
high levels of crime and anti social behaviour.
The Child Poverty Act, which received Royal
Assent in March 2010, commitments to eradicate Child Poverty by
2020. The borough’s calendar of events promoted awareness and
understanding surrounding a commitment to eradicating child poverty
by 2020.
A number of schools and organisations took
part in hosting events, such as:
Queen’s Park Neighbourhood Centre, who
held a ‘Celebration of Play & Learn’ course, supporting parents
of children from 0-5 years old, assisting them in their child’s
overall development.
Scott Lower School is holding ‘Family Learning
– Sewing Classes’, every Monday (up until the 13th
December), from 1.30pm – 4pm, and children can join their parents
from 3.30 – 4pm.
Harrowden Middle School held ‘Strengthening
Families’ taster sessions, which helped families look into ways of
incorporating teenage family members into a happy, healthy family
life, offering advice and mechanisms on how to deal with ‘growing
pains’.
Cllr David Sawyer, portfolio holder for
Children’s Services, at Bedford Borough Council, said: “Getting
young people involved in fun and educational activities is great,
it’s arguably even better when parents can join in too! Both
parties are able to understand each other further, due to spending
quality time together. Being a parent can be challenging, and The
Awareness Week also provided parents with an opportunity to discuss
any issues they had surrounding parenting styles and what might
work well for each individual.”