Future is unsure for surestart and the thousands of people they work with...

Sure Start is a Government programme which aims to achieve better outcomes for children, parents and communities by:

* increasing the availability of childcare for all children,
* improving health and emotional development for young children,
* supporting parents as parents and in their aspirations towards employment.

Sure Start covers children from conception through to age 14, and up to age 16 for those with special educational needs and disabilities. It also aims to help parents and communities across the country.

There are hundreds of groups set up and run by Sure Start across the U.K and many are aimed towards helping specific vulnerable groups of people.

My experience with Sure Start has changed my life.
I moved to Bridgwater just over 1 year ago.

When I became pregnant I felt isolated and I didn't know anyone at all.

Being pregnant at 17 is a scary experience for anyone but Surestart held a number of groups aimed at young parents.
I attented two groups per week and we covered topics such as breastfeeding, labour, healthy eating in babies and todlers and safety in the home.
We also had talks about safety when travelling and a car seat demonstration.
We have done cooking for babies and footprint painting and we also were shown how to bath a baby when they were only a few weeks old. My daughter is now 6 months old and I have made so many friends who also have babies. With the help of Surestart I have successfully managed to breastfeed my daughter and I am still doing so.
If it wasn't for these groups I wouldn't have any support at all am my partner works long hours an I don't have any family around to help me.
I gave birth to Lily in May and having had a C-Section so I found it difficult to do much when I came home but I had visits from a few of he Sure Start team just to see how I was.
I have just completed a four week assertiveness course which allowed me to leave my little girl in a well staffed and friendly creche so I could have 2 hours to myself.
I have also done a baby massage course with Linda Mackenzie who is absolutely brilliant and has such a passion and commitment for what she does.
They really have been brilliant. I have had help with everything and had someone to turn to when I was feeling down.
We have been on trips bowling, swimming, and have had facials, manicures and pedicures! We are supposed to be going to a health spa next year.

My reasons for starting this petetion are that many if not all of the groups and support run by Sure Start are set to close early next year.

This means that not only will hundreds of their brilliant staff will lose their jobs but also thousands of people will have no support network. They don't only work with young people they are there to help EVERYONE with children and those who are pregnant. I was lucky to have the support from them that I received and I would hope that others could also continue to recieve the help and support they need.

Without the group I currently attend I will have nothing to look forward to in the week and I feel that my daughter will be missing out on meeting other children and all the other activitys we do there such as singing with the babies.

Below are a short list of activitys run by Bridgwater Sure Start and I can assure you that there are many more:

* A group for parents suffering from post-natal depression with a supporting crиche,

* A variety of groups aimed at pregnant mums, fathers and children up to 18 months offering ante-natal checks and support and advice from the Sure Start Midwife,

* Young parents groups for young parents and those expecting a baby to gain peer support and advice from Sure Start health team and Connexions worker,

* Tots Groups Offering play and activities for toddlers as well as advice on all aspects of child health from the Sure Start Health Visitor & Assistant,

* Monthly groups aimed at offering peer-group support and professional advice to breast-feeding parents,

* Smoking Cessation dedicated staff to offer group or one-to-one support to those wishing to quit,

* Beep Groups to promote good early communication between babies, young children and their parent/carers,

* Speech & Language drop-in sessions a chance for parents/carers to discuss any issues with a Speech & Language therapist on an informal basis,

* Busy Books a drop-in group to encourage book sharing, music and creative activities,

* Mobile Library taking books and story time sessions in a variety of venues within the local area,

* Fathers Activities various groups and events designed to encourage male role models to take a more active part in the programme,

* Training information, advice, support and practical help to access a wide range of training courses and taster sessions,

* Childcare Managed childminding network and support to access all types of good quality childcare,

* Gardening opportunities to learn about growing, preparing and eating healthy foods.

This is just a few of the courses that will be shut and this is just in one area. You can imagine how many thousands of people will be affected across the U.K. Please sign this petetion and "SAVE OUR SURESTART!"