Disadvantaged kids workers in city praised

STAFF working with children and families living in disadvantaged communities in Londonderry were praised at the Sure Start programme’s tenth anniversary in Omagh recently.

The work of staff working in Sure Start projects in the Western was acknowledged by the health and education sectors, experts in early years’ education and other key partners working with young children and their families.

Tony Rodgers, Assistant Director of Social Services at the Health and Social Care Board, said: “I am delighted to welcome staff from the nine Sure Start projects across the West on this special occasion.

“Staff have worked very hard over the past 10 years to ensure that there is clear focus on funding services that make a significant impact on children’s lives and make sure they can have every opportunity in life.

“We are indebted to the staff, managers and Management Committees within these projects, without whose vision and commitment to early years’ services we would have been unable to drive forward the Sure Start programme in this part of the province.

“This event demonstrates the excellent collaborative working arrangements built up by the Western Area Childcare Partnership over the years and provides further opportunities to share good practice and learning in early years service provision.”