£50k funding to tackle anti-social behaviour

Rochdale families will benefit from £50,000 of vital funding according to an announcement by the Minister for Children and Young People, Beverley Hughes this week.  The  monies will be channelled into providing professional support for parents who are struggling with family life and working with young people to prevent them getting into trouble and helping them to fulfil their potential.

Rochdale is one of 58 local areas to receive the funding as recognition of the work already underway in tackling anti-social behaviour and youth problems. The sum will allow work to continue and develop around Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood, extending to work with more families in their own communities.

The Parenting Support Team at Sure Start are delighted to hear the news.  This funding will allow them to identify families who want support and intervene early into situations to resolve problems.  The team already work alongside parents to empower them to deal with teenage problems, including being able to talk to their children about sex and health education and developing positive parenting techniques and coping with day to day issues.  There is also a designated team supporting young parents.

The team work in the heart of the community at a range of venues.  A parenting skills course has just started at a local church in the Newbold area of Rochdale.  Thirteen parents are regularly attending the course, sharing their own experiences and learning how to deal with situations positively.

The national Youth Taskforce, initiating the funding, seek to build on Rochdale’s current success in these areas to include:

• Tackling perceptions about parents responsibility for their children’s behaviour.
• Tackling perceptions about how young people treat each other with respect.

Parenting Support Manager for Sure Start, Rochdale Julie Hayes said: “This funding allows exciting new courses for parents from all walks of life around the borough and the opportunity to make a real impact on family life.  We recognise that day to day family life can bring a whole range of different issues and problems as well as some very fulfilling and positive times.  We aim to listen to families, provide support appropriate to their situation and celebrate their achievements.”