Westminster
childrenfirst Your magazine to find out more about children’s and young people’s services
Get Set for 2012
Issue 14, Spring 2012
Get for ready lief Re Sport ! 2012
Make the most of the Games
What’s On Spring & summer activities
Making Amends How young offenders are giving something back
Volunteering Opportunities for young people
WIN!
Family tickets to Horribl e Histo ries LIVE on stage
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
1
Dear Parent or Carer, I am delighted to report that since the last edition of Children First, Westminster Children’s Services has boosted its overall Ofsted ranking to excellent for the first time since the grading system was introduced in 2007. This is testament to the hard work and dedication of officers and local partners, with the report particularly praising the progress in improving the performance of local schools, as well as its strong performance in all areas of children’s services. In this era of squeezed budgets and unprecedented financial challenges I am incredibly proud that we have made real progress for our children and young people. We have been making excellent progress working with our new partners Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea to begin to combine some children’s services jobs and structures. Hopefully these changes will have gone unnoticed to many of you, with the savings having been made primarily through senior management and back office services. We have also made significant progress in the development of the Your Choice programme, aimed at preventing our children and young people getting involved in gang-related activity. The support of local partners is fundamental to the success and long term sustainability of this solution to tackling serious youth violence. You can find out more about Your Choice on page 14. This edition of Children First also includes information on half term activities and opportunities for young people to get involved in volunteering opportunities across the city. We hope you enjoy this edition of Children First. As ever should you know someone who may wish to subscribe to this publication please ask them to send their name and address to childrenfirst@westminster.gov.uk to ensure they receive future issues.
2
Contents 4
Get set for 2012
6
Timebanking
7
Family learning fun
8
What’s on this spring
10 Happy Valentines? 12 Sport relief is back! 13 Making Amends 14 Your Choice 15 Shisha smoking – the risks 16 Join the traffic club 17 Dickens Fever! 18 Early Years focus 19 Horrible Histories Councillor Nickie Aiken Cabinet Member for Children’s Services Melanie Smith Director of Public Health for Inner North West London. Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
NEWS
Services for children in Westminster are officially ‘Outstanding’
In the latest annual children’s services assessment, Ofsted inspectors have elevated Westminster’s ranking from ‘performs well’ to ‘performs excellently’. They particularly praised progress in improving the performance of local schools, as well as a strong performance in all areas of children’s services. Inspectors commented on dramatic improvements in the overall effectiveness of Westminster’s special schools as well as improvement in attendance and attainment, including the proportion of 16-year-olds gaining five or more good GCSEs including English and mathematics. We are very proud of the great service we provide to families, and will keep striving to give you excellent support, advice and services year after year.
Family Information Service Westminster Family Information Service offers advice and information on: Childcare choices, activities for children, young people and families, early years education, health advice and support and where to socialise with other parents and their children. Plus, find out where to get advice on financial assistance to help with childcare costs or starting a career in childcare. FREE listings of nurseries, drop-ins, parent and toddler groups and other children’s services in your area are also available.
Eat healthily on a budget By choosing carefully and planning meals we can all save money, save time and keep our families healthy. Change4Life ‘Supermeals’ aim to help you do this by helping families prepare healthy and tasty meals quickly, cheaply and easily. Easy-to-make recipes including family favourites such as spaghetti bolognese and fish pie, healthy eating tips, super deals and more can be found by visiting www.westminster. gov.uk/ healthywestminster and following the links to ‘Change4Life’.
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
We can help you find out about childcare after or before school including local breakfast, after school and homework clubs for older children.
ct Conta S on: I F e h t
k .gov.u r e t s n i westm ov. e: fis@ ster.g n i m t w.wes s w: ww uk/fi 929 7641 7 0 2 0 t: 3
Get set for 2012 Make the most of free sporting and cultural events on your doorstep this year, as the Games come to Westminster. The road cycling event starts and finishes on The Mall and is the largest free sporting event in the world. The Olympic torch relay, marathons and triathlons also run through Westminster and are free to watch. Or if you were lucky enough to get tickets, you can watch beach volleyball at Horse Guards Parade, or archery at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Roads most affected are Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Victoria Embankment and Trafalgar Square.
These events, combined with tens of thousands of visitors during the Games, mean that there will be changes to some roads and public transport. This will affect some services such as your waste and recycling collections.
You can also check the public transport travel hotspots so you can avoid the crowds at peak times, before or after sporting events.
You may need to change the way you get around. For example, are you able to get to your childminders or into work? Are you able to work from home?
Find out more at your local area forum in February/March and June/July. Visit www.westminster.gov.uk/areaforums, contact your ward councillor or ask at your local library for details.
Drivers may encounter banned turns, changes to parking and loading facilities and changes to some traffic signals. Pedestrians and cyclists may find that some routes are closed. For example, the current walking and cycling routes across St James’s Park and Hyde Park will be limited because there will be events going on in the Royal Parks. In some places, high numbers of pedestrians will be managed by stewards and barriers.
4
The best way to prepare is to plan ahead. Before travelling in or around central London visit www.getaheadofthegames.com
Area forums
Sign up for our e-newsletter To keep you updated before and during the Games, you can sign up to our Olympic e-newsletter at www.westminster.gov.uk/olympics Contact During the Games you can call Transport for London’s Travel Information Service on 0845 305 1234.
WestminsterChildren ChildrenFirst, First,Issue Issue14, 14, Spring Spring 2012 Westminster
Olympic events and activities As well as free sport there will be hundreds of displays, events and activities for families this summer. If you want to organise your own event, the Local Leader’s Scheme may be able to help. Visit www. london2012.com/get-involved/local-leaders
r rkou w Pa ened e n t op rand ...a b has jus Sport? y k r m a uk/ P gov. cade at A minster. r t wes parkou
Torch relay
Central London
26th July
Archery
Lord’s Cricket Ground
27th July – 3rd August
Beach volleyball
Horse Guards Parade
28th July – 9th August
Cycle Road Race
Starts and finishes on The Mall
28th – 29th July
Triathlon swimming
Hyde Park and surrounding areas
4th and 7th August
Olympic marathons
Start and finish on The Mall
5th and 12th August(Olympics)
TING SPOR TS EVEN
29th August–9thSeptember (Paralympics) Celebration Parade
Central London
10th September
London 2012 Festival
Across London
21st June–9th SeptemberCULTUR
West End Live
Trafalgar Square
23rd–24th June
Big Dance
Across London and the UK
7 –15 July
London Outdoor Arts Festival September
Squares and parks
21st July–9th
River of Music
The River Thames
21st–22nd July
Hyde Park Big screens (Live Sites) with live Sporting coverage Trafalgar Square
th
AL VENTS
E
th
27th July–12th August 29th August–9th Sept
Don’t forget to pick up your new ActiveWestminster Passport for free swimming other discounts for 0 to 19-year-olds. Soon it will replace your Youth or Junior Passport, so hurry – sign up now! Pick up an application form at your local leisure centre. Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012 5
Timebanking Over the last few months, children from Quintin Kynaston School have been getting more involved in their local community. Teaming up with the environmental organisation Groundwork London, the young people have taken responsibility for cleaning and repairing the Westminster boating base, garden clearance at Luton Street Community Nursery and running a charity stall at Maida Hill market. This work has been part of a ‘timebanking’ scheme. The students ‘deposit’ their time by giving practical help and support and are able to ‘withdraw’ their time when they need something done themselves. They have earned time credits for every hour given which can be exchanged for tickets, shows and events, including some free tickets kindly donated by the Empire
Leicester Square, the Nomad cinema and Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Haroon Ahamed, Pastoral Support Coordinator from Quintin Kynaston, said: “Students enjoyed all of the sessions. They learned real life skills which they can develop further and were introduced to various activities they may want to commit in the future.” Julie Weiss, centre manager from Luton Street Community Nusery, said: “I found the work we did with you absolutely fantastic! Lovely to see young people engage with our under 5s. It all supports social inclusion and shared learning.” Timebanking opportunities are available to people of all ages, with six Timebanks operating in Westminster, each with different themes. You can find out more by visiting www.timebanking.org
Cleaning up at Westminster Boating Base
6
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
Family learning with Westminster Adult Education Service From Valentine’s hearts to fabulous flowers, get crafty with your kids this spring by getting involved in a family learning workshop at your local library. Catherine Muchenje and her children took part in a Family Learning art course, and got a lot out of it: “The children wanted to draw what they could see and were excited about being artistic at home,” she says. Visit westminster.gov.uk/ childrenfirst/news to find out more about how, when and where to get involved.
Essential council numbers for parents Family Information Service www.westminster.gov.uk/fis 020 7641 7929 Children with disabilities www.westminster.gov.uk/disabilities 020 7266 7090 Libraries www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries 020 7641 1300 School Admissions www.westminster.gov.uk/admissions 020 7641 1816/1817 Special Education Needs www.westminster.gov.uk/sen 020 7641 5348 Westminster Sports Unit www.westminster.gov.uk/sports 020 7641 2012
ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL
BURSARY PLACES AVAILABLE Arnold House School in St John’s Wood welcomes Bursary applications from boys joining Years 6 & 7 in September 2012. Interested parents should contact the Registrar, Penny Williams on 020 7266 6982 or at registrar@arnoldhouse.co.uk
Youth Service www.westminster.gov.uk/youthservice 020 7641 1591/1592
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 23rd March 2012
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
For more information please visit 7 www.arnoldhouse.co.uk
Spring activities
for children and young people
What’s on in the
school holidays? Find out what’s on this February half-term and at Easter with our guide to activities for all ages across the city. For the latest updates visit westminster.gov.uk/inthecity or call the Family Information Service on 020 7641 7929.
Sport and leisure Edutain sports
13th – 17th February, 10am – 3pm Age: 8-13 Multi-sports and other activities to learn new skills, meet up with friends and keep fit and healthy. Just turn up, fill in a registration form and join in. Venue: Academy Sport, Westminster Academy, 255 Harrow Road, W2 5EZ Pimlico Academy, Lupus Street, SW1V 3AT Tel: 020 7641 2012 Cost: £1 per day Nearest tube: Royal Oak/ Warwick Avenue
8
Spring Academy Sport drop-in 13th – 17th February,
Time: Various, call for details Age: 6 - 13
All day and two-hour drop-in sessions including football and basketball camps, archery, street dance and multi-sports. Venue: Academy Sport, Westminster Academy, 255 Harrow Road, W2 5EZ Tel: 020 7121 0642 Cost: Call for details Nearest tube: Royal Oak/ Warwick Avenue
Half term camp (Football, Tennis, Cricket, Basketball, Multi-Sport)
14-17 Feb, 2-5 Apr, 10-13 Apr, 10am-3pm Age: 5-15 years Four fun days filled with sport specific coaching and games. These camps are extremely popular so early bookings are advised. Enrolments are taken at the main reception of Paddington Recreation Ground. Participants must bring a packed lunch. All equipment is provided. Address: Paddington Recreation Ground, Randolph Avenue, London Postcode: W9 1PD
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
Tel: 020 7641 3642 Website: www.sportscourses. org or www.gll.org Cost: £50.25 for 4 days, or £26.30 with rescard Nearest tube: Maida Vale or Kilburn Park station Booking required
Youth L.E.A.P Parkour Camp Monday 13th – Friday 17th February 2012 Age: 8-16
Spring
Academy Sports’ newly opened parkour park – L.E.A.P is hosting it’s very first holiday camp. We will be running an all week camp, where your child will learn to jump down steps, scale walls and vault obstacles…all in a safe environment. Address: Academy Sport, Westminster Academy, The Naim Dangoor Centre, 255 Harrow Road (entrance on Torquay Street) London, W2 5EZ Tel: 020 7121 0642 Cost: £5 per day Website: www. westminsteracademy.biz Nearest Tube: Royal Oak
Volunteering
Children’s Spring Festival
Wednesday 4th April, 2 to 4PM Age range: Suitable for children aged 4 to 11. Come to our Children’s Spring Festival! Enjoy a story or two… Make an Easter gift or a Spring decoration to take home… Hunt the chicks to win books and chocolates! Contact: 020 7641 1300 Website: westminster.gov.uk/ libraries Cost: Free
“It’s given me some great experience. And I’ve also got my Level 1 and Level 2 coaching badges”.
Marvin Martin, a student at City of Westminster College, volunteers as a football coach with Fernhead Rovers F.C. “I started when I was 17. Through my college, I got in contact with Volunteer Centre Westminster and they found me this position. I coach under-12s and under-14s every Monday night.” Marvin’s volunteer work has already led to a coaching role at Chelsea Football Club. He also plans to go to university to study Sports Development. Marvin has some advice for any young people who want to get into football coaching: “Get in touch with the Volunteer Centre. They’ll find a coaching position for you and help you to get started.” Volunteering is a great way to gain useful experience. If you know any young people who might be interested, ask them to contact Volunteer Centre Westminster: info@ volunteer.co.uk or 020 7402 8076 tin
Marvin Mar
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
9
Happy
Valentin
e’s...?
As Valen tine’s da y approa romance ches, an , make s d all our ure your to about thoughts t e e n relations age child tur n to h ips, sex a ren know they’re t n all they n hinking a d how to eed bout tak stay safe ing the n a n d h ealthy if ext step.
Ready for sex Many young people worry about sex: when to do it, if to do it and how they’ll feel about it. Your teenagers should know that if they haven’t had sex yet, they shouldn’t worry. The chances are that most of their friends won’t have had sex either, whatever they say. Make sure your teenager knows that it’s completely normal to be interested in and excited by the thought of having sex and to wonder what it might be like. But it’s also normal to feel worried or confused about it. It’s important that your teenager knows that with sex, it’s only right to take the plunge if they absolutely feel like they’re ready and they really want to.
Types of contraception Make sure your kids know about contraception – and if they don’t want to talk to you, make sure they know where they can find out more. There are lots of types of contraception to choose from and different things will suit different people.
10
Key facts your teenager should know: • All contraception is free on the NHS in the UK. • If your teenager isn’t sure what type of contraception they want to use, it’s a good idea to talk it through with someone they trust. • They can pick up free contraception and get confidential advice on which method might be right for them.
What is an STI? Your teenager should also be aware of the risks of STIs, or sexually transmitted infections. Here are the main things they should know: An STI is basically any kind of bacterial or viral infection that can be spread through sexual contact. This doesn’t just mean unprotected sex. Some STIs can be passed on through oral sex (kissing, licking or sucking someone’s genitals), and some can be passed through sexual touching and skin-to-skin contact. There are lots of STIs out there and they will probably have already heard of some like chlamydia, ghonorrhoea, genital warts, HIV…
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
Many are on the increase, and all of them can affect anyone. Some don’t show up after you get infected. Some can show signs a few days after unprotected sex. Others can go unnoticed for a long period of time. Some don’t ever show any symptoms at all. The good thing about infections is that they’re often easy to sort out. But leave them untreated and they may cause serious damage to your long term health.
Where to go for help and advice If your teenager isn’t comfortable talking to you or another family member, they can still get impartial, confidential advice. In Westminster there are two sexual health services just for young people. They both provide confidential advice on sexual health for people aged 19 and under. Services they can access include free condoms and other contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, safer sex and sexuality information. Cont@ct at Victoria Clinic, South Westminster Centre for Sexual Health, 82 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PF Tel: 020 8846 6234 Hours: 3.30-5.30pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Nearest tubes: St James’ Park or Victoria ARC at Winsland Clinic, St Mary’s Hopsital, Praed Street, W2 1NY Tel: 020 7886 6626 Hours: 3-5pm on Tuesday Nearest tubes: Paddington or Edgware Road There are general sexual health clinics where anyone can get help and advice (not young people): Queen’s Park Health Centre, Dart Street, W10 4LD
Wednesday 5.00-7.00pm Soho Centre for Health, 1 Frith Street, W1D 3HZ Tel: 020 7534 6500/6504 Hours: Tues 9.30 – 11.30am Bessborough Street Clinic @ South Westminster Centre, St George’s House, 82 Vincent Square, SW1 2PF Tel: 020 7963 2490 Hours: Mon & Wed 5.00 – 7.00pm Thurs 12.30 – 2.30pm Fri 9.30 – 11.30am and 5.00 – 7.00pm South Westminster Centre, St George’s House, 82 Vincent Square, SW1 2PF Tel: 020 7963 2490 Hours: Tues & Thurs 5.30 – 7.30pm Fri 1.00 – 3.00pm Sat 9.30 – 11.30pm
Tel: 020 8968 8899
Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 56 Dean Street, W1D 6AQ Tel: 020 3315 6699 (appointments) Hours: Mon, Tues & Thurs 8.00am – 7.00pm Wed 12.00 – 4.00pm Fri 9.00am – 4.00pm Sat 11.00am – 4.00pm
You can also go online for information on sexual health, relationships, teenage pregnancy and lots of other useful information including clinic details: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/ sexandyoungpeople or call 0800 28 29 30 www.brook.org.uk or call 0800 0185 023
Hours: Tues 1.30 – 3.30pm Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
11
. . . y d a e r t Ge ! k c a b s i f e Sport Reli
n Friday 23rd o s in g e b s ie it tiv por t Relief weekend of ac S d e ’s k y c r a u p b s n in o a ti An ac inates in the S lm u c d n a , 2 1 0 March. March 2 th 5 2 y a d n u S n no Mile in Londo
The Sport Relief Mile is a great way for young people and their families across Westminster to have a fantastic day out while raising some cash for Sport Relief. The new route along the Mall takes in some of the most iconic sights the Westminster has to offer: ‘Milers’ will pass Horse Guards’ Parade, the Queen Victoria Memorial, Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch to name but a few. If you take part, you can get sponsored to walk, jog, sprint or even hop either one, three or six miles, in a comfy tracksuit or fancy dress. The money you raise is spent by Comic Relief to help transform people’s lives here in Westminster, across the UK and in the world’s poorest countries. Go to www.sportrelief.com/the-mile to enter the Mile. Even if you don’t take part yourself, head down with the whole family to support the other runners. Street entertainers, steel bands, face painting and stilt walkers will line the route providing fun and entertainment for kids and adults of all ages. You may even find yourself rubbing shoulders with a few famous faces! Have bundles of fun in your school or early years group for Sports Relief There are loads of ways for your school to get involved. You could hold a fancydress sports day, put the staff against the students in a series of sporty activities 12
or do something entirely different. Go to www. sportrelief.com/schools to order your free schools pack. In 2010 Hallfield School, on the Hallfield Estate supported Sports Relief by doing a ‘Hallfield Mile’ around the playground.
And the little ones don’t need to miss out.Go to www. sportrelief.com/schools/ early-years-groups to get your free Early Years Activity Kit packed with fun activities and fundraising ideas, stickers, posters and more.
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
Making Amends young offenders giving back to Westminster
Westminster’s Young People’s Workers are working with young first time offenders, giving them the opportunity to give something back and avoid getting a criminal record, through the Make Amends project. The self-funded project is a way for first time offenders between the ages of 10 and 17, who have been involved in low-level crime, to repair the damage caused by their offending behavior through charity work, making greetings cards which are then sold and the proceeds donated to charity. Young People’s Workers from the council run the project at Westminster’s three Youth Hubs in Pimlico, the Stowe Centre and Church Street. The project, which was set up in January 2011, is part of the council’s wider aims to divert young people away from the Criminal Justice System by intervening early with positive action to reduce re-offending. For more information about the Make Amends project please contact Lisa Perry, 0207 641 7781 or email lperry@westminster.gov.uk
“I’m lucky in that I was referred to the Make Amends project as it has been a learning experience because it will stop me from committing crime and doing wrong in the future.”
Young People’s Worker Lisa Perry, who works with young offenders at the Make Amends project says: “We’ve found that making the cards not only allows them to give something back to the community they’ve affected, but also gives us a chance to sit down with them one-to-one, in a calm environment and talk openly. They also go away having managed to turn around a negative situation with a renewed sense of responsibility and pride in what they have achieved.” Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
13
for hing ubs – t e m l o uth c s re’s s ...the at our yo to debate e y n ! h o e p every photogra g to danc k/ u n . o v m p o o r f ing inster.g p d n a m West ubs Visit youthcl
The council has launched a new programme to divert young people away from criminal gang activity. Over the last few years, the frequency and nature of serious youth violence has escalated in certain areas of the city. The ‘Your Choice’ programme will target young people who may be at risk of joining gangs, including working with young people transferring from primary to secondary school. And it will also give support to young people who want to leave gangs, helping them find employment and training. The programme is called ‘Your Choice’ because it will give youth offenders two clear choices: stay away from gangs and violent youth crime or face up to ‘swift justice’, which could include proceedings for eviction, parenting orders and anti-social behaviour orders. To find out more about the ‘Your Choice’ programme and what the council is doing to tackle the problems of gangs, please visit www.westminster.gov.uk/your-choice
14
We would also like to hear your views on gangs and youth violence including why you think young people get involved in such activities and how you think the council can respond further in tackling and addressing the causes behind it. Please send your thoughts to Alice Murray, Crime Policy Officer amurray@ westminster.gov.uk
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
Shisha – not as bad as cigarettes… or is it? Shisha smoking has become increasingly popular in the UK among youngsters of all cultures, as a way of socialising with their friends. However many shisha users are unaware of the potential serious damage it can cause to their health. • A World Health Organisation study has suggested that during one session on a hookah (around 20 to 80 minutes) a person can inhale the same amount of smoke as a cigarette smoker consuming 100 or more cigarettes. • A regular shisha smoker can expect to be at risk of similar health problems that
World No Smoking Day 2012 Every year, smoking changes lives for the worse – ripping families apart and killing half of all long term smokers. World No Smoking Day takes place on 14th March 2012. On the day more than a million smokers are expected to make a quit attempt. If you would like to get involved please find out more on www. nosmokingday.org.uk
cigarette smokers face, whether that’s respiratory, heart disease or cancer. • The toxins in shisha smoke can also cause respiratory diseases, and in pregnant women shisha smoking can harm the unborn child. People who use shisha also appear to have a greater risk of getting mouth and gum disease. If you need extra help, you can call the Asian Quitline or the NHS Asian Tobacco Helpline. These helplines can offer information and advice on stopping smoking, and support for people who are finding it hard to stop.
Asian Quitline
Bengali: 0800 169 0885
Bengali: 0800 00 22 44 Mondays 1pm to 9pm
Gujarati: 0800 169 0884
Gujarati: 0800 00 22 55 Tuesdays 1pm to 9pm Hindi: 0800 00 22 66 Wednesdays 1pm to 9pm Punjabi: 0800 00 22 77 Thursdays 1pm to 9pm Urdu: 0800 00 22 88 Sundays 1pm to 9pm English: 0800 00 22 00 www.quit.org.uk
Hindi: 0800 169 0883 Punjabi: 0800 169 0882 Urdu: 0800 169 0881 NHS Free Smoking Helpline English: 0800 022 4332 Lines are open daily, from 7am to 11pm, with specialist advisers available from 10am to 1pm. www.smokefree.nhs.uk
NHS Asian Tobacco Helpline The following helplines are open on Tuesdays from 1pm to 9pm:
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
15
Join the Traffic Club in ries nts libra e e 12 ning ev es? r a re un ili ...the inster r for fam raries s tm ib Wes activitie gov.uk/l and inster. tm wes
Transport for London, supported by Westminster Libraries, is offering FREE books for 3-4 year olds to help them understand the importance of road safety. The number of children getting hurt in traffic accidents is a growing problem across London. We want to help you teach
your children how to stay safe when they are out walking, playing or travelling. Become a member of the Traffic Club and you’ll get a series of seven FREE books to work though with your child. A book will be sent every three months, packed full of pictures, stories and fun activites, and with each pack you’ll also find stickers and a colouring competition with some great prizes.
Teaching children road safety skills at a young age helps to reinforce good “It gave me lots of behavior and will make them safer road users for life. One ideas I hadn’t thought parent said “It gave me lots of of before – new ways ideas I hadn’t thought of before of teaching and – new ways of teaching and explaining” explaining”. There are extra FREE activities for kids available online, including songs, games and videos, as well as resources available for parents and carers to buy. For more information or to get an enrolment form, drop in to your local library, visit trafficclub.org or call 0870 010 4440. 16
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012
Celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens at your local library. Does your child know the story of Oliver Twist? If you and your little one share a love of reading, make Dickens’ birthday an excuse to bury your head into this childhood favourite, chosen to be the focus of the first ever City Read London, taking place in April 2012.
Dickens Fever!
Hundreds of events will take place throughout the month in all 33 London library services, plus museums, cinemas and other venues, and bookworms across the capital will be taking part as Dickens and Oliver Twist are brought to life for Londoners of all ages.
How to get involved: Learn about Dickensian childhood with FREE ‘Victorian Toys’ workshops delivered by Westminster Adult Education Service:
“I thought I was coming along as a silent observer, to read my book... I was wrong! My daughter and I had a lot of fun working together.” Father, Pimlico
Church Street Library, 4th April, 10.30 – 12.30pm Maida Vale Library, 4th April, 2.30 – 4.30pm Pimlico Library, 21st April, 2 – 4pm Queens Park Library, 28th April, 2 – 4pm All children must be over 5 years of age and accompanied by an adult to work with them during the session. Book now at the library or call 020 7641 1300. Only 20 places available per workshop: first come, first served. For more information about City Read London visit cityreadlondon.org.uk
to
Come along to a free Interactive Drama Workshop see Charles Dicken’s classic brought to the stage by Splats for his 200th birthday. Where: Paddington Children’s Library When: 5th April
Time: 2 – 4pm Aimed at children aged 5 years and over. Under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult. Book now at the library or call 020 7641 1300
For more information about events at your local library visit westminster.gov.uk/libraries
Westminster Children First, Issue 12, Spring/Summer 2011
17
Affordable childcare Help for parents with the costs of childcare Do you have a child 0 – 12 years old? Are you unemployed or working less than 16 hours per week? Are you about to begin a permanent job, or fixed-term contract of more than 16 hours? If so, you could take part in our childcare support trial. From December 2011 until March 2012, the council is trialling a new system which will mean parents on low or no income who want to return to work will no longer have to pay childcare costs in advance. The scheme will give parents support to apply for working tax credits and help them to finding a childcare place, through a ‘Childcare Broker’. Whilst a pilot parent’s application for working tax credits is being processed, they
will only pay part of their childcare fees. After 6 weeks they will be required to pay the rest of their childcare fees to their childcare provider. Instead of paying a deposit up front, parents will be supported to build their deposits up by £10 per week on top of their fees. For more information, or to find out if you can take part, contact Roxsana Haq on 020 7641 3461.
Get toddling! Is your child’s nursery, early years group or childminder getting involved in The Big Toddle 2012? The Barnardo’s Big Toddle is the biggest, brightest and best fundraising event for under 5s. It is a short, sponsored walk which last year saw almost 500,000 Toddlers and more than 10,000 groups register. The Big Toddle 2012 has an optional superheroes dressing up theme, so go ahead and get creative with your costumes! All the money raised by the Big Toddle goes to local Barnardo’s projects for children under 5 18
throughout the UK. The children’s charity works with vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families, this includes supporting children affected by poverty, homelessness, disability, bereavement and abuse. It’s all about children helping children. It has never been easier to take part in the Big Toddle: you can register online in minutes at www.bigtoddle.co.uk or call 0845 270 9900.
Westminster Children First, Issue 12, Spring/Summer 2011
HORRIBLE HISTORIES WIN! WIN! WIN! Westminster Libraries have 10 family tickets to give away to see “Horrible Histories Barmy Britain Live on Stage!” at the Garrick Theatre. We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So it’s time to prepare yourselves for HORRIBLE HISTORIES live on stage with the world premiere of BARMY BRITAIN! Have you ever wondered why the Romans never won MasterChef? What if a Viking moved in next door? Would you lose your heart or head to horrible Henry? Will Parliament escape gunpowder Guy? Enrol yourself at Georgian Crime School, dare to dance the Tyburn jig and find out what a baby farmer did!
Set in loathsome London, the BSC proudly present the world premiere of BARMY BRITAIN following their acclaimed productions of Terrible Tudors, Vile Victorians, Awful Egyptians and Ruthless Romans. Don’t miss this horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in! If you are between 7 and 12 years old and want to take your family to have a fantastically horrible history experience, all you need to do is tell us (in less than 200 words) what’s your favourite bit of all time horrible history, and why. Lots of books on offer as runner up prizes. Pick up an application form from your local library or email schoolslibraryservice@westminster. gov.uk with your library membership number. Deadline for entries is 1st March.
Horrible Histories Quiz Are you an expert on horrible history? Do you want to know all the gorey details of history’s battles or learn about plagues, famines and behedings? Then join our horrible histories quiz race and be in with a chance to win a fabulous prize. Our quiz takes place at St John’s Wood Library on Tuesday 14th February, 2-4pm. To find out more visit: http://www.westminster.gov. uk/libraries or drop in to your library.
LIVE ON STAG
E!
Heads you lose
From 14 F
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, 12, Spring Spring/Summer 2012 2011
BooK No ebruary 2012 w GARRICK: 0844 412 4662 www.barm THEATRE ybritain.co m
19
Sarah is scared of going home.
Give her a real home. Make a difference. Foster Care. To find out more call 0800 0322 533 or visit www.westminster.gov.uk/fostering 20
Westminster Children First, Issue 14, Spring 2012