13th March 2006
Norwood designated a Children's Centre Satellite Site
Norwood , Anglo-Jewry's leading children and family services charity, has formed a partnership with Sure Start New River to make available health and family support services , at Norwood's Somers Centre. The service is being developed as part of the Government's National Children's Centre Programme and will be the first to target the more observant Jewish community in the Hackney area by providing outreach services.
The Somers Centre is one of Norwood's three Children & Family Centres. Under the Children's Centre plans, the Somers Centre will be designated a satellite site. From here, local residents will be able to access specific health and family support services and well women outreach. These services will run alongside, and complement those already offered by Norwood at the Somers Centre. The satellite Children's Centre will require specialist equipment to run the services, and funding for this has been approved by Sure Start New River's Management Board and the Government.
City and Hackney Primary Care Trust will provide expert health care advice and services to include immunisation, child health reviews and a minor ailments clinic. Other provisions that are currently being planned for the satellite include home and road safety advice, exercise classes, oral health promotion and a mobile dental service. The first programmes are due to begin in June 2006.
Speaking about the development, David Harris, Norwood's Director of Operational Services explains : "This is a fantastic opportunity to meet an identified need in the more observant community and be part of a national programme of Children's Centre developments which enjoys Government support. Once the satellite Children's Centre has been established, we anticipate 'spin-off' benefits for the Somers Centre, which has become an increasingly sought-after support service for the local Jewish community and welcomes hundreds of people through its doors each week."
Marcia Smikle, Service Development Manager City and Hackney Teaching Primary Care Trust , said: "This is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate the PCT's commitment to moving away from the 'one size fits all' approach to health care delivery. We welcome the opportunity to provide health-focused services, alongside existing well-used activities provided by Norwood. We are also realising our commitment to provide a range of services in an accessible, flexible and convenient way that meets the needs of the observant Jewish community."
For further information please contact David Wosner, Public Relations Officer at Norwood on 020 8420 6942 or email david.wosner@norwood.org.uk
