Huge turnout as Parr families come together for community fun day

More than 600 people attended a community fun day at Parr Children’s Centre last week, as local families came together to find out more about the support available through Cradle to Career in Parr.

The event was organised by Home Start St Helens and the Parr multidisciplinary team based at Parr Children’s Centre, which includes professionals and services across education, health, family support and the community, available under one roof in the centre of the community.

Originally planned for around 200 people, the event saw more than triple that number attend across the day, with families able to get advice from local services as well as enjoy a free day out with food, ice cream, face painting, singing, dancing, a ‘Miss Rachel’ children’s act, food trucks and a reptile zoo.

The activities were funded through Cradle to Career, a place-based programme that is managed by charity Right to Succeed. Through Cradle to Career, local leaders, partners, residents and professionals work collaboratively in a shared mission to support children, young people and families in communities across the Liverpool City Region.

Annmarie Houghton, CEO of Home-Start St Helens, who organised the event, said:

“This event is about the community of Parr coming together. Across the day we’ve had more than 600 people through the doors, which is absolutely fantastic and exceeded expectations. It’s making sure families in Parr know what’s available and can access the right support on their doorstep.

“I’m a firm believer in the power of partnerships and through the Cradle to Career programme, we’ve been able to fund some fantastic partnerships that are really beneficial to families with children from babies to teenagers. Nobody can do it all on their own. Voluntary, statutory and community partners working together builds resilience for current and future challenges.”

Jo Pearson, Programme Director for Cradle to Career in Sefton and St Helens, said the turnout reflected the strength of the relationships being built between families, community partners and local services in Parr:

“Today has been a brilliant example of what can happen when services work together around the needs of a community.

“The multidisciplinary team in Parr has shown real commitment and resilience in bringing partners together, listening to families and making sure support is accessible in a place people already know and trust. It is about bringing the right people and services together, but also recognising the strengths that already exist in Parr.”

Local mum Jordan, who attended the event with her son, said:

“A lot of families can’t afford the days out, even going to the farm costs nearly £90. It would be great for more things like this to happen, especially when it’s so close and there’s things for different ages. My mum brings my little boy to Parr Children’s Centre every week, we’ve been to a few of the groups, which he enjoys.”

One local dad, who brought his three children along, said:

“There’s loads for the kids to do. Events like this bring the community together. I know most of the people here. The best thing has been the stuff for the kids to do and having all the services here in one place today - it’s great to know what’s available.”

Cradle to Career’s priorities in Parr include improving literacy, early years support, parental engagement, youth provision, family support, social, emotional and mental health and inclusion, post-16 education, employment and training, and building community pride.

The St Helens programme is funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, UBS Optimus Foundation and National Lottery Community Fund. 

For more information about Cradle to Career, visit: https://www.righttosucceed.org.uk/cradle-to-career

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For press enquiries, please contact: chelseayearsley@righttosucceed.org.uk