Westminster
Issue 26, February 2016
Children first Turn over to read Edit
Win tickets to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Run the Westminster Mile Keep the family healthy till spring
Adult learning in the heart of Westminster
Co inclu urses de and English math s!
WAES is Westminster’s adult college, offering full-time and part-time study in the daytime, evenings and at weekends. We offer courses at 80 locations across Westminster, and with hundreds of courses from accounting to fine art, you are sure to find a course you’ll love. Visit us online at www.waes.ac.uk, call 020 7297 7297 or drop in to one of our centres for more information.
Enrol now for 2016 courses!
Dear parent or carer In 2016 I’m challenging your family to run the most famous mile in the world. Nothing is more important than the health of your family. Nine out of ten kids today could grow up with dangerous amounts of fat in their bodies which can cause life-threatening diseases. We all know that the best way to prevent that is to eat well and get going every day, but this year why not take on a new challenge? The Westminster Mile is held on the most iconic mile in the world and every year hundreds of families take part, whizzing along the Mall to pick up their medals in front of Buckingham Palace. The run takes place on Sunday 29th May and there’s more information on how to register in this edition of Children First. There are also lots more health tips, support for your family and great discounts and competitions. This is my last column as Youth MP and it’s been an amazing year representing the young people that live and study in the heart of London. If you have aspiring politicians in the family make sure they turn over to read Edit and see how they can get involved in the 2016 Youth Elections.
Aby Murray Youth MP Westminster
Contents 5 6 8 9 10 11
Win tickets to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Page 11
Run the Westminster Mile Keep the family healthy till spring Learn more about fostering Free childcare for your two-year-old Discover what’s on in Westminster Enjoy great family discounts
Free French club for kids Page 4
Contact Aby at westminsteryouthmp@ westminster.gov.uk Cover photo: Maya and Heidi with their Westminster Mile medals.
Westminster Children First, Issue 26, February 2016
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The latest news from around Westminster
NEWS
Changes to Children’s Services We want to make Westminster the best place in the country for children to grow up. A place where children get the best possible start in life, families thrive and young people are equipped for the future. To achieve this goal at a time of reduced government funding we have to make a number of changes to the way we deliver services for children and young people. Find out more at westminster.gov.uk/childrens-changes
French club for kids Church Street Library is running a new French club for six to eight-year-olds with a native French teacher leading games, songs and activities. The club runs every other week on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4.305.15pm and booking is essential. Find out more at westminster.gov.uk/church-street-library
Do you still want to receive Children First? Kids grow up fast! If your family no longer wishes to receive copies of Children First email us to let us know. If you do want to receive the magazine, but are looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we can send you an electronic version instead, before copies hit doorsteps. Email childrenfirst@ westminster.gov.uk
Learn your teenager’s language An online dictionary is now available to help parents decode the language their teenagers use on social media and chat rooms. The site also contains advice to help you talk to your kids about body confidence, online identities and cyberbullying. If you’re worried your children are giving away their ‘ASL’ (age, sex, location) or ‘zerging’ (ganging up on someone) visit parentinfo.org
Paddington Children’s Library Paddington Children’s Library is being redeveloped and is now at a temporary location until the new library opens in 2018. Visit the temporary library at 150 Queensway, W2 6GD where the same great range of books, services and activities will be on offer. Visit westminster.gov.uk/ childrens-library Follow @CityWestminster or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/WestminsterParents for the latest news, offers and events for your family. 4
Westminster Children First, Issue 26, February 2016
Run the most famous mile in the world Da vid, Ma ya an d Heidi The Westminster Mile is back on Sunday 29th May 2016 with a fantastic day of running, entertainment and family fun. Runners of all ages will start at The Mall and run around St. James’s Park before crossing the finish line outside Buckingham Palace, where they will get a medal and free goody bag. Last year David Ventura, 42, from Marylebone, ran in the family race with his daughters Maya, eight, and Heidi, six. “This was our first year running the Westminster Mile and we signed up because a friend who had run before recommended it.
“My kids really loved getting their medals and I know it gave them a great sense of achievement. “I think it’s really important to keep healthy and to encourage good exercise habits when children are young. Events like this make it so much easier. We will definitely be signing up for the Westminster Mile again this year.”
“We thought it was fantastic, especially as it was in such a great setting by the park and Buckingham Palace. We met up with some friends and their children on the start line and ran with them. After we’d picked up our medals we spent time enjoying the family activities that were taking place.
Enter the Westminster Mile Entry is £8 for adults and £6 for juniors - with a £1 discount for Westminster residents. Children under nine are free.
The Westminster Mile is organised by London Marathon Events Limited in partnership with Westminster City Council and Royal Parks.
There are races for all ages and abilities: families, juniors, elite athletes and wheelchair users. Choose the one that’s best for you and your family when you sign up at westminstermile.co.uk
Westminster Children First, Issue 26, February 2016
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Keep the family
till spring eping Our top tips for ke y through your family health the colder months.
Stay active Westminster has eight low-cost leisure centres, with some of the lowest prices in London. There are also lots of sports pitches and neighbourhood sports clubs for all the family. Visit westminster.gov.uk/sport Free cycle training is also available to Westminster residents, so make sure your family are up to speed on their cycling skills and gain confidence together by booking a family training course at westminster.gov.uk/city-cyclingcourses
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Get health advice from the experts A fun way to get the family fitter, healthier and happier is to sign up for free MEND sessions. Standing for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition… Do It!, the council funded MEND sessions help children aged up to 18 and new mums find creative ways to eat well and move more. As well as a host of fun activities, the sessions provide information and advice to help families make healthy lifestyle choices. Gemma Dumayne Anutr, MEND Nutritionist, says: “Understanding how to get a healthy diet and enough physical activity into your day is important for everyone but can be hard to achieve. MEND sessions are full of great tips on things like how certain foods give you extra energy and how to get vitamin D, which we normally get from the sun, during winter months. You’ll also find out about local schemes, such as Healthy Start Vitamins, free local activities and how to make the right choices for your health.” Find out more at mytimeactive.co.uk/MEND or by calling 020 8323 1725.
Westminster Children First, Issue 26, February 2016
Take care of your child’s smile Keeping your child’s teeth and gums healthy is even more important in winter when the cold air can cause sensitivity. • Children should brush their teeth twice a day – especially at bedtime. • Use a pea-sized amount of a family fluoride toothpaste for children aged over three. • Use a smear of 1000 ppm fluoride toothpaste for children under three. For more information on looking after your children’s teeth, or the free fluoride varnish programme offered in schools speak to your local NHS dentist or visit nhs.uk/livewell/dentalhealth
Breastfeeding: off to the best start Breastfeeding is a great way to get your baby off to the best start. • Breast milk is the best food your baby can have. It’s tailor-made for your baby and gives them all the nutrients they need in their first six months. • Breast milk boosts your baby’s ability to fight illness and infection. • Breastfeeding lowers your risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. • Breastfeeding is a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your baby.
Point your teenagers in the right direction It can sometimes be hard to know how to start conversations with your teenagers about growing up, exam stress, sexual health, bullying and more. Health Matters is a confidential school nursing website with information for young people on all kinds of topics including mental health, emotional well-being, health and lifestyle choices. Your children can also speak directly and confidentially to their school nurse and should ask their school office or form tutor for more information.
To learn more about breastfeeding and to sign up for free texts, emails and‘how to videos’ visit nhs.uk/start4life
Visit healthmatters. clch.nhs.uk
Westminster Children First, Issue 26, February 2016
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Give something back, become a foster carer We need more people to come forward to be foster carers to give children a loving and supportive home. Hanora is a mother of five children and six grandchildren. She has been a foster carer for 27 years and during that time has fostered over 190 children. “It is the most rewarding job I have ever done, and even though it can be hard work and often challenging I couldn’t imagine doing any other job. “I have always loved children and since I moved from child-minding to fostering I’ve never looked back. Children go to foster carers for many different reasons, often because there are problems in their lives and they need a loving family to support them. “When you get the feedback from social workers saying how much the child has changed, it’s such a rewarding feeling. “I would encourage anybody who is, or has been interested in any kind of childcare, to open up their homes and hearts to children and to become a foster carer.”
If you’ve been thinking about fostering take the first step and find out more. Call 0800 169 3498 or 020 8753 1057, email fostering@rbkc.gov.uk or sign up for a fostering information event: One-to-one sessions: Sessions are held on the first Wednesday of every month between 10am and 4pm. Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, W6 9JU Information session: Thursday 25 February, 10am – 12 midday, Westminster City Hall, Victoria Street, SW1E 6QP Information session: Thursday 24th March, 6-8pm, Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, W6 9JU Find out more at westminster.gov.uk/fostering
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Westminster Children First, Issue 26, February 2016
Free childcare for your two-year-old
Liam and Tina
Tina Joseph’s son Liam started receiving 15 hours of free early education a week in early September 2015. The lifelong Westminster resident says it has given her son great “opportunities to learn.” “Liam really enjoys going to the pre-school in Marylebone and loves the interaction with the other kids. He is excelling and the teachers are really happy with him which is great to see. “It is so nice that Liam is always coming home talking about the teachers and his friends there. He’s made five new best friends already. “It also helps me a lot as a mum that Liam can be at the centre between midday and three o’clock. It gives me time to go out and sort all those little things which are difficult with a two-year-old.
Westminster Children First, Issue 26, February 2016
“The facilities are really good – there is a playground with slides which the kids absolutely love. They also do a lot of educational things; Liam regularly comes home with little ornaments and bits of artwork which now take pride of place in our cabinet. “I would definitely recommend taking up the free sessions and the 15 hours a week is just right in terms of time.” Westminster offers 15 hours of free early education sessions a week for some twoyear-olds. To find out if you are eligible visit westminster.gov.uk/childcare
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There are lots of fun things to do in Westminster this half-term Monday 15th February Crafty Bunch arts and crafts sessions for little ones Time: 4-4.45pm Age: All Venue: The YAA Centre, 1 Chippenham Mews, W9 2AN Cost: £8/£4 for siblings thecraftybunch.com
Monday 15th-Friday 19th February Swimming lessons for all abilities Time: Varies according to skill level, call for more details Age: 3+ Venue: Porchester Centre, Queensway, Bayswater, W2 5HS Cost: £36 for residents, £38.75 for non-residents 020 7630 5522
Monday 15th-Saturday 20th February
Wednesday 17th February
Hear stories of the fleet of mysterious night buses which journey into the night in London Time: Daily, 11-11.30am, 2-2.30pm Age: All Venue: London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB Cost: Free for under 13s, free with £17 admission for adults, or £15.50 for adults with a Westminster City Save card 020 7379 6344
A fun afternoon of arts and crafts hosted by Westminster Adult Education Services. Time: 2-4pm Age: 5+. All children must be accompanied by an adult Venue: Pimlico Library, Lupus Street, SW1V 3AT Cost: Free, but booking is required 020 7641 6200
Tuesday 16th-Friday 19th February Basketball, cricket, football and tennis sports camps Time: 10am-3pm Age: 5-15 Venue: Paddington Recreation Ground, Randolph Avenue, W9 1PD Cost: £55.96 or £29.28 with a Westminster City Save card 020 7641 3642
Saturday 20th February Try a family Parkour class Time: 10am-12 midday Age: For young people aged one to six-years-old and their parents Venue: Moberly Sports Centre, Kilburn Lane, W10 4AH Cost: £5 per participant or £10 for one adult and one child parkourgenerations.com
For more events sign up for our monthly families enewsletter westminster.gov.uk/families-first
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Westminster Children First, Issue 26, February 2016
offers and discounts for westminster residents
Save 15% off at Puppet Theatre Barge Offer: Join Joey the Clown, Mr Punch, Beadle, Burglar Bill and a bag of fireworks at the Puppet Theatre Barge. How to claim: Quote ‘Westminster City Save’ when calling 020 7249 6876. Present your Westminster City Save card when you pick up tickets at the box office. Venue: Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, Blomfield Road, W9 2PF
Over 90% off membership fees at Monkey Music
Win four tickets to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Join Charlie down the sugary corridors, though the chocolate garden and amongst the incredible edible delights at the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, in a musical that is choc-full of treats to dazzle your senses. Awarded Theatre Show of the Year at the London Lifestyle Awards 2015.
How to enter: For a chance to win, like our Facebook page at facebook.com/ WestminsterParents and tell us the best thing about raising a family in Westminster. Competition closes on 29th February 2016. Terms and conditions: Prize is valid for four tickets. Valid on Monday-Thursday performances until 26th May 2016, excluding weeks commencing 28th March and 4th April. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. Subject to availability. Tickets also available to purchase online at westminstercc.entstix.com. Westminster Children First, Issue 26, February 2016
Offer: Let your young ones learn through music and play with these award-winning classes for children aged three months to three-years-old. How to claim: Quote ‘Westminster City Save’ when calling 020 8767 9827 or email chelsea.westminster@monkeymusic.co.uk Venue: Monkey Music Pimlico, The Holy Apostles Church, 47 Cumberland Street, SW1V 4LY
20% off food and drinks at HK Diner Offer: Enjoy amazing Asian cooking with traditional dishes including BBQ pork, roast duck, noodles, dumplings and classic desserts that the whole family can enjoy. How to claim: Present your Westminster City Save card before ordering and when you pay the bill. Venue: HK Diner, 22 Wardour Street, W1D 6QQ
Apply for your free Westminster City Save card at westminster.gov.uk/citysave or call 020 7641 6000 (Mon – Fri, 8am – 6pm). Terms and conditions apply. Visit westminster. gov.uk/citysave for all offers and more details.
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