HeadStart Wolverhampton is inviting young people and families to the launch of its fourth and final Community Base on Monday (29 January, 2018).

A free celebration will be taking place at Eastfield Community Centre, Colliery Road, from 2.30pm to 6pm, to highlight the help and support available from HeadStart Wolverhampton to 10 to 16 year olds living in the Eastfield, Heath Town, Park Village, Springfield and Old Heath areas.

Families and young people will be able to meet members of their local HeadStart team and take part in creative workshops, including arts and crafts activities and a drumming workshop hosted by Beat Feet.

The HeadStart base is located at Eastfield Strengthening Families Hub, and is the last of four Community Bases to open in HeadStart Wolverhampton's key target areas. Each is home to a multi-agency team, including a HeadStart Community Development Coordinator, Young Persons Engagement Coordinator, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) link worker and Police Community Support Officer.

The first two Community Bases, at Low Hill Library supporting Low Hill, The Scotlands and Bushbury South, and at Bob Jones Community Hub supporting Blakenhall, All Saints, Parkfields and Ettingshall, opened in September 2017. The third Community Base, at Bilston Town Hall, supports young people in Bilston East, and opened last month.

Councillor Val Gibson, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said "The Eastfield base is a wonderful addition to the three HeadStart Community Bases which have already opened in Wolverhampton.

"As with the other 3 bases, it gives HeadStart a physical presence in the heart of the community, and plays a vital role as a operating hub for HeadStart's local area work.

"Monday's open afternoon is an excellent opportunity for young people and their families to meet their local HeadStart team and find out about the support available to them. They will also have the chance to voice their ideas on what they would like to see in their local community."

HeadStart Wolverhampton is designed to improve the mental health and well being of children and young people aged 10 to 16 by giving them the skills they need to cope with the challenges of modern life.

As well as running a series of specific programmes in its 4 key target areas, HeadStart Wolverhampton offers city wide help through a Type=links;Linkid=9943;Title=Support and Guidance Directory;Target=_blank; which provides well-being and mental health resources from different organisations, including information targeted at young people, parents and carers, and professionals.

To find out more about HeadStart, please visit Type=links;Linkid=6584;Title=HeadStart;Target=_blank;, follow @headstartfm on Twitter or Instagram, or find HeadStart on Type=links;Linkid=7788;Title=Facebook;Target=_blank;.

For more information about the open-afternoon at Eastfield Community Centre, please call Elaine Higgins, HeadStart Community Development Co-ordinator, on 077799 74722 or email elaine.higgins2@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

  • released: Friday 26 January, 2018