Support for families in Woodside catchment area improved by working closer together

Woodside Primary School and Sure Start Children’s Centres are joining together with a range of agencies to offer advice, support and activities for families with children living in the Woodside catchment area.

The agencies involved offer a wide range of support for families on issues such as children’s health (Health Visiting Team), housing (STAR Housing Support), finance (Jubilee Money Advice Service) and legal advice (GHP and Crampton Pym and Lewis).

Information about how to contact these agencies and what they can do to help families is available through Woodside School and Sure Start Children’s Centres. Information is also available through Oswestry Library and the Family Information Service on 01743 254400.

Alongside this, parents have been able to attend specially arranged workshops, such as ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’ and ‘Job Search’, to offer advice and help around making the most of their various resources.

Treflach Farm is working closely with Woodside Community Hub to help raise awareness of how healthy food choices can also mean a healthy environment. Children and families have so far created a woodland on the farm and taken part in ‘Farm in a Box’ workshops.

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for children’s services, said:

“We’ve put on some great workshops and have some really useful agencies committed to helping out and I hope people continue to take advantage of these opportunities. Future plans include the creation of a community garden, holiday club activities on the farm and more hands on experiences of growing local food in a beautiful part of Shropshire.”

To find out more about any of these events being run in the area you can call into Woodside School and speak to Sally Powell or phone on 01691 654646. You can also drop by Woodside Sure Start Children’s Centre to speak to Helen or Ruthy, or phone the Children’s Centres main line on 01691 656513.