Shropshire children get creative to raise awareness of support for parents

A 5-year-old Shropshire schoolpupil has won a competition to design a logo and poster to help raise awareness of the support available to parents in the county.

Children from Crowmoor Primary School in Shrewsbury were invited to enter the competition as part of the relaunch of a strategy by Shropshire Council, which ensures that a variety of groups and support is in place to help parents.

This week, Doctor Irfan Ghani, consultant in public health, presented the winners from Chestnut class with prizes.  The overall winner was Carly Williams. 

The Shropshire Parenting Strategy outlines, under the theme of ‘understanding your child’, how a range of professionals from different organisations work in partnership to offer support to parents in Shropshire. 

This may be part of their daily one-to-one work with families, or through parenting support groups and sessions.

Kay Smallbone, Shropshire Council’s health development manager, said:

“We want parents in Shropshire to be able to benefit from a range of support, in the way that suits them and their needs.

“The strategy aims to make sure this happens by looking at how professionals in health, education, voluntary organisations and social care can work with families to help ensure that children have a good start in life.

“The entries to the competition were absolutely fantastic and will be great in to helping us to raise awareness of the support available.”

Dr Irfan Ghani added:

“Confident and positive parenting is essential for intellectual, social and behavioural development of children.  A range of support services are available for parents in Shropshire to ensure that they have access to the support that they need. 

“We are grateful to the students and staff from Crowmoor Primary School for promoting our services.” 

For details of the support available in your area, take a look at the Family Information Service (FIS) Directory by clicking here or call Shropshire Council’s FIS on 01743 254400. 

Alternatively, find out what is happening for parents at your local Shropshire Council Sure Start children’s centre by clicking here.

*Public health will be part of Shropshire Council from 1 April 2013