Waterside Sure Start celebrates 'sweet sixteen' at official opening of Action for Children building

The sun shone brightly on the grounds of Action for Children's new Ebrington building on Friday as children, parents and staff enjoyed a memorable double celebration.

The open day marked the official opening of the charity's Waterside-based support hub as well as the sixteenth birthday of Waterside Sure Start - one of four services based in the new facility in the Ebrington complex.

And it was a special moment for Foyle College pupil Adam Brolly, who shared ribbon-cutting duties with Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue.

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The 16-year-old was one of the very first children to go through the Sure Start programme when his mum, Michelle Heath, took baby Adam along to avail of some welcome support and advice as a first-time mother.

Natasha Burke, service co-ordinator of Waterside Sure Start, said: “Adam was in my two-year-old programme, so I've had the privilege of being part of the Action for Children family for the past 14 years.

“Michelle is an early years supervisor with our service, but she also started out as a parent with ourselves and all four of her children have come through the service.

“We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the families and the children, and also the staff who do a wonderful job all year round, every day, supporting us to help us do what we do best.

“The sun is shining and what a wonderful day it is to be celebrating providing all our services across the Waterside.”

The other services based in the building are the Waterside Family Centre, Waterside Family Support Hub and the Western Early Intervention Support Service.

Olivia has her face painted by Kat at the AFC NI, Ebrington office opening and Waterside Surestart 16th anniversary party.

Mayor Patricia Logue hailed the facility as 'a model that every area should have', praising the innovation of identifying linked services and housing them under one roof.

“What you see here today is a perfect example of what Sure Start and all the other services based in this building are meant to do.

“After getting a tour of this fabulous building, it has been wonderful to see that all the services parents need are here.

“They can be easily signposted to whatever service they need. I think in all walks of life, should it be children's or older people's services - dementia for example - it should be something like this: a wraparound service in one building.”

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Councillor Logue, who was just four days into her new role as mayor when she attended Friday's ceremony, went on to express her personal delight that this was the first 'ribbon cut' of her tenure.

“We have a Sure Start in the area I live and where I brought up my own children,” she said. “The services offered are just what is needed, especially for new parents.

“I had six children. Being a new parent is not a textbook exercise; it really isn't. There's this lovely wee new baby, and it's great, but it can also be very isolating and so you need that support.

Michelle Heath, Surestart, her son Adam Brolly, Mayor Patricia Logue, and Natasha Burke, Surestart, pictured at the AFC NI, Ebrington office opening and Waterside Surestart 16th anniversary party.

“It helps so much with child development, and the social aspect of meeting other parents is so important too.

“It brings confidence to the new parents - not just mammies, but daddies too - to give the children the best start in life that they possibly can have.

“It was great to be able to cut my first ribbon with Adam, who was one of the first children to use the Sure Start service. I will always remember this day and hope to be back here again before too long.”