A government minister visited a children’s centre in Moulsecoomb earlier today (Tuesday 3 May).
Tim Loughton, the Children and Families Minister and Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, praised the Sure Start centre in Hodshrove Lane, Moulsecoomb.
He said: “Sure Start centres do excellent work and provide vital services to many young families.
“It is great to come to Brighton to congratulate my Conservative colleagues who have, under the leadership of Mary Mears, protected Sure Start centres, unlike a number of Labour councils up and down the country which are closing them.”
He later met Councillor Mears and some of her cabinet colleagues outside the children’s centre.
Also present were some of the Conservative candidates standing for election to Brighton and Hove City Council on Thursday (5 May).
They included Councillor Ayas Fallon-Khan and Cath Slater, who are contesting the Moulsecoomb and Bevendean ward for the Tories, along with Councillor Maria Caulfield.
Councillor Mears said: “Here in Brighton we are committed to supporting our Sure Start centres and the valuable work they do to help local families.”
There are six main children’scentres in Brighton and Hove with a number of satellite or outreach centres.
Moulsecoomb Children’s Centre caters for families with children under five years old in all parts of Moulsecoomb, the Bates Estate, Bevendean, Meadowview, Coldean and the Sussex University and Brighton University sites.
Jump Start Nursery is based in the children’s centre.
The Sure Start children’s centre team is made up of health visitors, early years visitors, a community nursery nurse and speech therapists.
The team works with families, individuals and groups, in people’s homes and in the Sure Start centre.
Parents are able to get services and support for their children as well as advice and information in the children’s centre.
The centre also has opportunities for volunteers and those interested should contact the council for more information.