This document provides an annual review of the Rural Needs Initiative, which operates two children's centers in Wiltshire, England. It summarizes the organization's activities from 2009-2010, including maintaining partnerships with other organizations, delivering services and activities for families with young children, and using data to identify local needs and priorities. Looking ahead, the organization plans to continue reviewing and developing children's center services with a focus on outreach, evaluation of outcomes, and supporting families in areas like returning to learning and employment.

1. Rural Needs Initiative
Annual Review
2009-10
The Corner House Children‘s Centre
George Lane Car Park, Marlborough, SN8 4BY

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Rural Needs Initiative seeks
creative solutions
to improve the lives of families
within their community
Mission Statement
“I’ve never had friends in this area
until I came to the centre and now
my son has some too’’
The staff here are very
helpful and kind
Brilliant... Ruby loved
it, so did Daddy!
It was wonderful ...
We have never seen our
daughter interact in the ways
that she did in the sensory room.
“I look forward to the group
every week and will be sad when
my son is too old to come’’

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Contents
Feedback 2
Contents 3
Management Committee & Staff 4
Aims & Objectives 6
Strategic Focus 2009-2010 7
Chair Person‘s Introduction 8
Financial Overview 10
Overview 12
Looking Ahead 15
Parent Consultation 16
Areas of Work 18
Volunteers & Parents Speak Out 26
3000th Children‘s Centre
Celebration 27
Learning Together - Cook 4 Life 28
What does a Family Support Worker
Do? 29
Acknowledgements 30
‘Making A Difference’

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Management Committee and Staff
Trustees 2009–10
Helen Hodsdon (Chair of Trustees)
Rosemary Davies
Jane Scott
Sue Napper
Jo Wittels
Independent Examiner
David Owen & Co
Devizes, Wiltshire
Staff
Betty Dobson Strategic Manager
Sue Deedigan Children‘s Centre Co-ordinator,
Marlborough
Carolyn Melvin Children‘s Centre Co-ordinator,
Tidworth
Sue Birch Outreach Services Co-ordinator
Gill Murray Admininistrative Co-ordinator
Sue Evans Centre Information Assistant
Gillian Scott Centre Information Assistant
Sharon Selkridge Family Support Worker
Ramona McIlkenny Family Support Worker
Kathryn Kuzera Session Leader & Resource Assistant
Early Years Workers:
Sue Benson Amanda Sollis
Jacky Bowyer Louise Cookson
Nicola Perryman Gabby Lovell

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Legal Status
Rural Needs Initiative is a company limited by guarantee
(reg no 4019682) and a registered charity (reg no 1082480).
The objects as stated in the Memorandum of Association are ―the
provision of facilities for the benefit of families in rural areas in
the interests of social welfare with the object of improving their
conditions of life‖. The charity operates in Wiltshire.

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Purpose
Rural Needs Initiative (RNI) works with children from birth to five,
their families and carers.
Working in a safe and accessible environment and in partnership
with others, RNI seeks creative solutions to improve the lives of
families within their community.
Aims
 Listen to and support families and children enabling them to
identify their own needs and empowering them to build
solutions to some of the challenges they face
 Identify and reach out to families at risk of exclusion and
promote services
 Build parents confidence, self esteem and promote their
knowledge of child development
 Increase opportunities for families with children under five
to learn together through play
 Assist in the sustainability of community groups for the
benefit of families with young children
 Improve families‘ access to the information and services
they need and increase access to learning opportunities
and enhance employment potential
 Work in partnership with other organisations in order to
effectively meet the needs of families
 Develop RNI as an effective, financially sound, well
governed organisation providing high quality services
Aims and Objectives

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1. To identify the needs of our communities through listening
to parents and communities to develop a clear focus for
priorities within the organisation
2. To work with organisations across rural Wiltshire to learn
together about effective ways of delivering services
3. To participate in forums and working groups to contribute to
developing local and national strategies: through these
identify appropriate roles for RNI
4. To continue to review RNI strategy to maintain and develop
it as a viable organisation
Strategic Focus 2009—2010
The Sensory Room at Windmill Hill
Sure Start Children‘s Centre, Tidworth

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―Making a difference.. today and tomorrow‖
The RNI Trustees recognise that if families are to benefit from our
services the most essential ingredients are the staff and
Trustee teams. Their high quality skills and knowledge are vital to
making a positive difference through developing empowering and
supportive relationships with those they work with. During April
2009 to 2010 our teams have continued to grow and develop. This
included welcoming Family Support Workers and Centre
Information Assistants, so enabling us to reach out to more
families. The Trustees‘ team warmly welcomed Jo Wittels while
Ann Bernard moved on to pastures new. It has also been a
pleasure to see parent volunteers enriching the staff team and for
some this has led to training and work opportunities.
All team members were encouraged to take up relevant training
and development opportunities. Over the past year they have
accessed a range of learning experiences including courses such
as Safeguarding, Creative and Critical Thinking, Letters and
Sounds, and supervision skills for family support staff, plus baby
massage instructor‘s course, training in administration and the
National Council for Voluntary Organisations‘ National Leadership
Programme. Higher level Qualifications, such as the Early Years
Foundation degree and the National Professional Qualification in
Integrated Centre Leadership were also achieved. Well done all!
Additional support was offered through Wiltshire‘s Children‘s
Centres central team through quarterly reviews and the Annual
Conversation, providing opportunities to review and discuss
opportunities for development.
The outcome of a team that is keen to learn and extend is to
develop high quality and innovative services. In our case, planned,
interventions are approached more effectively, including our priority
areas such as ‗Confident Chatterbox‘ and infant attachment,
outreach in Ludgershall and Marlborough East and developing
sensory play provision. It is important to maintain this positive
momentum and build on these foundations to reach out to the most
vulnerable families in our communities.
Chair Person‘s Introduction

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Chair Person‘s Introduction cont...
We are fortunate that our services are supported by effective
information and administration systems across the organisation.
The Trustees also play a vital role in ensuring the work of RNI is
―making a difference‖ by ensuring prudent governance. The
organisation is fortunate to have had, and to continue to have
committed Trustees rich in relevant experiences. Many thanks to
them for the ongoing stewardship, time and expertise they offer the
charity.
Part way through the year we learned that funding would no longer
be available to offer family learning courses. This has led to the
organisation reviewing whether a similar service might be
delivered. In fact, we continue to develop strategies to assure qual-
ity while supporting cost effectiveness across all our activities, out-
reach and information, including developing our web based
material.
Looking forward, the Trustees are aware that spending cuts are on
the horizon, and at local level, Children‘s Centre services have
been put out to tender. The Trustees remain committed to
supporting young children and their families, and have taken the
decision to bid to continue to run such services. At the time of writ-
ing, the outcome of this process is still unknown.
Helen Hodsdon
(Chair of Trustees)
Parents and babies
enjoy the
Sensory Room at
Windmill Hill
Sure Start
Children’s Centre

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Financial Overview
Financial Review
Our income this year was £330,761, an increase of £110,000 from
the previous year. Once again, our main source of income was the
money received from Wiltshire Council to run the two Children‘s
Centres. This accounted for over 90% of our total income, an even
higher percentage than the previous year (80%). Of the remainder,
£10,000 was received from Bright Horizons to be used specifically
for training.
We opened the year with a deficit of £5,690 and during the year
spent £325,275, meaning we carried forward a deficit of £200 into
the next financial year.
It is the aim of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not
been designated for a specific use, should be maintained at a level
equivalent to between three and six month‘s expenditure. The
Directors/Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure
that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to
continue the charity‘s current activities while consideration is given
to ways in which additional funds may be raised. However,
historically it has not been possible to accumulate funds so this
remains an aim. The charity‘s current activities are almost entirely
involved with running the two Children‘s Centres. The Trustees
consider that there is minimal risk to these services or to staffing
levels as the services will continue even if RNI is no longer the
provider.
There is a requirement to spend all the year‘s money allocated to
Children‘s Centre Services by the year end.
The accounts have been independently examined by David Owen
& Co. Copies of the full version of the ―Trustee Report and
Unaudited Accounts‖ can be obtained from Rural Needs Initiative.
Jane Scott
Company Secretary

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Income
WCC -Children‘s Centres 299,470
WCC – Children‘s Centres – additional funding for specific items 6,918
WCC -family learning 3,000
Income for Courses 5,030
Bright Horizons - for Training 10,000
Donations 1,374
Income from activities 3,218
Other 1,752
Total income 330,761
Expenditure
Staff costs - salaries 205,438
Staff costs - other including training & travel 19,293
Office expenses including IT 25,282
Equipment 11,364
Contracted out work—tutors 8,839
Publicity/information 6,865
Miscellaneous/refreshments/hall hire 6,384
Children's equipment and consumables for activities/playpacks 7,508
Transport Fund 1,186
Safety Equipment 1,501
Governance costs (a) 12,107
Premises & van costs 19,509
Total expenditure 325,275
Closing Balance -205
(a) Accountancy, book keeping,
payroll, HR support, insurance

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―Making a difference‖
During the year Rural Needs Initiative (RNI) has continued to
identify and develop service provision in order to make a
difference to children under five and their families.
―Outcomes matter most‖, ―are we making a difference‖ , ―can we
evidence impact‖ now inform what we do; in other words we are
both developing provision in response to need and identifying a
range of tools to collect evidence. Based on feedback, services
are then modified.
Delivering Sure Start Children‘s Centre services continues to be
the main focus of RNI‘s work; however, the core services ―fit‖
with the overall aims and objectives of the organisation. The
significant change over the year has been the increased use of
local statistics to monitor progress in reaching families who may
not have previously used our services. Neighbourhood statistics
enable staff to prioritise where we should be delivering services;
for example, where there is a greater risk of social and
geographical isolation or where there is a high percentage of
children growing up in workless households. Whilst Sure Start
Children‘s Centres offer universal provision, it is imperative that
RNI offers equity of access.
Alongside the statistics, staff are aware of the challenges in
delivering services. This is an area with a high level of military
dependants alongside a rural area with a dispersed population,
which is relatively affluent but has pockets of deprivation.
Identifying different methods of helping families to access our
services is a key priority. Our communication strategy ranges
from a regular spot on the local radio through to standing outside
local shops to inform families of the services offered by the
Children‘s Centres. The organisation continues to review the role
of technology to support service provision; the web site has been
reviewed to fully reflect our service in a user friendly format.
Strong partnerships with other agencies are vital to the service
we provide.
Overview

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Overview
Over the past year we have built on existing links to offer an
integrated approach to supporting children and families.
Partnerships can be a challenge: as professionals we are used to
working in particular ways, we each have our own reporting and
referral mechanisms and we may feel threatened by new ways of
working. The local forums and, towards the end of the year, the
advent of advisory boards provide an opportunity to share and
develop practice.
Where we have identified a priority area RNI has developed a
―round table‖ approach bringing together partners and stakeholders
who have a specific interest in a particular area and can support
the development of a particular project. This method has provided
the stimulus for a number of projects including ―Confident
Chatterbox‖, the group for young parents (Growing Together) and
the Community Room at Castle Primary School at Ludgershall. In
addition, professionals have had a chance to network, finding out
about providers who may be of assistance to support the
development of their own services.
Transition to parenthood brings both joy and worry. Through the
Children‘s Centres, staff have created ―pathways‖ to support new
parents at this crucial stage in their lives. Research indicates that
opportunities for bonding between parent and baby will affect
longer term outcomes for the baby including enhanced well-being.
Working with health professionals, parents can access baby
massage courses, information on child health and ―Baby Babble‖.
Not only do parents learn how they can support their child‘s early
development, there is also the opportunity to benefit from other
parents‘ ideas and experiences.
The Children‘s Centres offer a venue to providers to meet their
clients: Healthy Minds, Community 4 and RF Wiltshire are just
some of the organisations who have been able to use the buildings.
Family support workers engage with families through referrals,
offering home visits and where appropriate more intensive support
to encourage participation in group activities.

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The Centre Information Assistants are the first point of contact
for a parent whether by phone or calling in to the Children‘s
Centre. Their role includes giving information on activities and
services within the local community as well as at the Children‘s
Centre, signposting to organisations, but perhaps most
important of all making sure families feel welcome.
As you will see from the Review, the Children‘s Centres offer a
range of activities to meet the needs of children and their
families within the local community. As with any organisation
there are the conflicting demands of resources and the
capacity to deliver. This is particularly so when considering the
needs of a large rural area with a scattered villages and a
large military base; however, people living either community
can experience the isolation that comes with living away from
family and friends. The birth of a baby and managing young
children are very demanding.
Rural Needs Initiative continues to identify projects that can
support such families beyond the direct remit of the Children‘s
Centre core offer. It continues to offer playpacks and has also
been commissioned to provide them for other Children‘s
Centres. It is taking a lead and working with other Children‘s
Centres to deliver the Safe at Home scheme – a government
initiative to support families with safety equipment targeted at
the most vulnerable families. Although RNI has been running a
similar scheme, this new project provides for all families to
receive information on home safety; families receiving equip-
ment will benefit from having items such as gates fitted by the
Fire and Rescue Service.
We look forward to the future and tackling new challenges on
the way. Our commitment continues to be to make a difference
to the children and families within our communities.
Betty Dobson
Strategic Manager
Overview cont...

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Looking Ahead
During the coming year, Rural Needs Initiative will continue
to review and develop Children‘s Centre services. Priorities
include:
use of data and the parents‘ consultation to improve
outcomes particularly for children and families who do not
access Centre services to:
 Identify the needs of the community
 Identify measures
 Identify monitoring and evaluation processes that
are fit for purpose recognising ways in which to
meet families and the ages of the children
Raise the profile of the Centre services to all families
 Universal
 Targeted Groups
Review provision in the following areas and develop as
appropriate:
 returning to learning and employment
 safeguarding
 Infant attachment
 Language skills
 Young Parents
 Ludgershall
In addition Rural Needs Initiative will:
 Work with other Children Centres to identify
potential projects and seek funding where
appropriate
 Further develop the safety equipment scheme
 Review policies and procedures ensuring they are
relevant and robust
 Raise awareness of its services through building
on its marketing and publicity strategy
 Build on its existing links to enhance its multi-
agency partnerships to ensure children and families
benefit from services provision

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Parent Consultation
The Annual Parent Consultation 2010
The Corner House Children‘s Centre Marlborough
How much has the Sure Start Children‘s Centre made a
difference to you and/or your family?
 80% said ‗a lot‘ or ‗some‘
 9% said ‗none at all‘
Are you aware that we offer information and
signposting on other services?
 Health - 60% ‗aware‘
 Return to learning/work - 66% ‗aware‘
 Childcare - 73% ‗aware‘
 Parenting Support - 84% ‗aware‘
Some Parents‘ Suggestions
 Activities at different times/days
 Awareness and information on sessions
 An information pack on the services you offer
which could go out to toddler groups/pre schools
 More choice of activities at half term and during
the summer holidays

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Parent Consultation
Windmill Hill Children‘s Centre Tidworth
How much has the Sure Start Children‘s Centre made a
difference to you and/or your family?
 98% said ‗a lot‘ or ‗some‘
 2% said ‗none at all‘
Are you aware that we offer information and
signposting on other services?
 Health - 72% ‗aware‘
 Return to learning/work - 61% ‗aware‘
 Childcare - 53% ‗aware‘
 Parenting Support - 87% ‗aware‘
Some Parents‘ Suggestions
 Continue with activities involving older children in
the holidays
 Get the information out more
 More sessions in Ludgershall
 More sessions after 3pm
These have provided the basis for service provision
during the year.
The effectiveness will be reviewed at the next consultation

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Confident Chatterbox
Confident Chatterbox began in September 2009 at The Corner House
Children‘s Centre in Marlborough and The Windmill Hill
Children‘s Centre in Tidworth. It has gone from strength to strength.
Taking the statistic from the ―I CAN‖ report in 2006 that more than
50% of children were entering school with language and
communication issues, and concerns from nursery staff in Tidworth of
the speech and language development of children at a local level, we
started a three year project to make a difference to the families in our
community areas.
We aim to raise awareness with parents and carers on the
importance of Speech and Language development in their children,
as it is fundamental to all areas of learning, and crucial to their ability
in achieving the best possible outcomes in life. We are also very
aware of the value of early intervention in giving children the best
possible start.
We have achieved this in 2009/10 in various ways, such as:
 Providing communication rich activities and sessions, some
of which are particularly targeted to speech and language
development, such as Baby Babble, as well as ensuring that
all our activities and sessions consider the opportunities for
communication and language development in their planning,
and feedback is recorded to inform further development.
 Raising awareness with parents and carers through
particular training sessions, such as Katrice Horsley‘s
Storytelling Workshop.
Areas of Work

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 Raising awareness with parents and carers by holding
special fun events such as ‗Once Upon a Time‘ in
Marlborough Town Hall and ‗Chatter Matters‘ In Tidworth.
 Targeting specific people such as fathers and their role in
helping their child to become a ―Confident Chatterbox‖ by
holding special events such as ―Whatever Next‖.
 Providing training for our own staff and other professionals
by holding events such as Katrice Horsley‘s Storytelling
Workshop for professionals.
 Letters and Sounds training run by Wiltshire Council also
took place at the Corner House, and was attended by
many pre-schools and nurseries in the community area as
well as senior County Council staff.
 Providing our own in-house staff training using
―Every Child A Talker‖ and ―Inclusion Development‖
Materials. Drawing on the expertise of our Advisory
Teachers to visit sessions and feedback to staff on
Practitioner communication skills and creating a
communication rich environment
 Developing our own ‗Confident Chatterbox‘ programme
that has successfully run so far in Pewsey, as well as
running 6 Play and Language taster sessions on behalf of
Family Learning.
Next year we intend to carry on developing this project as parents,
carers, children and staff have all given us an encouraging amount
of positive feedback. We hope to build on this year‘s success by
continuing to provide language rich sessions and activities and by
holding further Family Fun Days that have a ‗Confident Chatterbox‘
focus, as well as by using further training materials such as, ―Letters
and Sounds‖ in our own in-house training.
Sue Deedigan
Children‘s Centre Co-ordinator

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Its easy to be healthy inside and out by following the hints and
tips from two of our favourite sessions. By joining us for
Morning Munchies and Walk & Talk on Wednesdays you can
find out how your family can have fun and be healthy.
Morning Munchies provides parents with an opportunity to
learn about healthy breakfast choices. Our sumptuous
selection of ideas include crumpets, fruit and juices. Advice and
information on affordable food options are given at every
session. No hungry tummies here as children are encouraged
to help prepare their breakfast and learn how to use cutlery.
Social skills are also developed and encouraged.
Joining ‗Walk and Talk‘ provides opportunities to enjoy a
variety of walks around Marlborough and a chance to enjoy
local surroundings. Handout ‗I Spy‘ sheets encourage
awareness and conversation making this both an enjoyable,
healthy and educational time for you and your child. Parents
are able to share ideas and hopefully be encouraged towards a
more active family lifestyle.
Join us for a healthy experience inside and out!
Amanda Sollis and Jacky Bowyer
Areas of Work
Healthy Lifestyles

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A Flying Start
Areas of Work
We are here to support our families from the very beginning as they start
the fantastic journey of becoming parents.
Our first meeting might be at one of the Baby Clinics in Marlborough,
Ramsbury, Burbage or Great Bedwyn. We often visit these sessions to
tell parents about what happens at their local Sure Start Children‘s
Centre and to let them know how we can provide advice and support.
Based at the Corner House Marlborough we have two regular weekly
sessions for parents and babies to come to.
Baby Babble
This is split into two sessions; one for the age group 0-6 months (Juniors)
and 6-12months (Seniors).
Baby Babble is all about those first communication skills babies learn –
cooing, copying, babbling. As they become more aware and grow it is a
great place for their first social interactions.
Baby & Me
This is for birth - 18 months . We have a variety of
visiting professionals who will provide parents with
help around dental health, fire safety and first aid, to
mention a few. We also regularly have the
community nursery nurse at sessions to answer any baby re-
lated questions. This is also a great place to meet up with other parents
and babies to share hints and tips.
Plus a fabulous new course run by us…..Baby Massage
This is a 5 week bookable course and is an amazing way to get to know
and bond with your baby. Classes are small and relaxed and provide so
many benefits for both baby and parent.
Nicola Perryman

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Working in Tidworth has its own challenges, as the Garrison increases in
size; with many new families arriving daily the Children‘s Centre has
become a life line for many people.
Operational tours begin and families are once again separated leaving
one parent left at home to be ‗mum and dad‘. We offer a variety of
different sessions, where families can get support and advice if needed.
A listening ear is always available. In some sessions we have introduced
a ‗Buddy System‘ by introducing new parents to families who have been
attending the Children‘s Centre for some time. This has worked very
successfully, with both parties having a lot in common to start with, and
over time friendships evolve. For me, I know I have made a difference
when parents and children come up to me at the end of the activity and
say ―Thank you, we have had a lovely time‖, that‘s when I know the little
things we do are making a big impression on families‘ lives.
One parent said “I don’t know what I would have done for 6 months
when my husband was away if the Children’s Centre wasn’t here,
you have been my saviour”.
Kathryn Kuzera
Areas of Work
Working in and around Tidworth

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Areas of Work
Working in and around Tidworth
Sue, Louise & ‗Baby & Me‘
I support parents and their babies at the Baby and Me session on
a Wednesday morning. I really enjoy working with children and
have worked with families in Tidworth for many years. A lot of
parents are really pleased to have someone to chat things over
with or even hold the baby so that they can have a chance to
have a coffee break. A rare luxury with a young child!! Louise
Cookson works with me and we both get to know our families
really well. The children enjoy the singing part at the end of each
session nearly as much as I do! I also enjoy creative play and
getting messy but that's another story.
I‘m told I have a relaxed calm manner which is really useful when
I provide crèche cover during one of our short courses such as
Creative Space. Both the parents and children need to have
confidence in me, and my experience and training count.
Sue Benson
Zouch Group Friends
The group is based in the Zouch Primary School premises in the
Zany Zebras mobile. This makes it easy for parents to pop in
after dropping off older children at class. We have a good
parent group-practitioner relationship and provide lots of
support and encouragement. This has worked to such an extent
that three parents now feel confident enough to become group
volunteers providing additional support.
We pride ourselves on providing a friendly and welcoming
environment and in turn welcome feedback. Everyone is in-
volved in deciding what we do and how to develop the group
which is guided by our families‘ needs. Suitable for children
from birth to five years the Zouch Group promotes social skills
and general development. See you soon. Gabby Lovell

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Baby Babble
This popular session has increased to a class size of about 15
babies a week. It‘s lovely to see the interaction with newborns and
slightly older babies, 6months +. It is a very sociable session for
parents and babies. We have a mixture of sensory room play and
experience, and singing. It can also help babies with:
 Learning from the influence of others
 Developing a close attachment for parent and baby
 Establishing a routine
 Making sounds with their own voices
 Listening to familiar sounds, songs or finger play
 Communication in a number of ways, including
gurgling, babbling and squealing
Baby Massage
I delivered my first baby massage course to 7 babies and parents.
There was a wonderful feeling of calm. This, together with the
rhythmic touching, created a memorable experience both for the
babies and parents. We all gained much enjoyment and
satisfaction from the whole course.
Baby Massage can help with:
 Interaction, using senses, promotion of bonding, one to
one quality time
 Relaxation, increased flexibility, improved sleep patterns,
reduction of stress hormones
 Stimulation, language development, improved learning
ability
 Relief of wind and colic, growing pains, constipation,
 Muscular tension
Carolyn Melvin
Baby Sessions Are Growing....
Areas of Work

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The Playpacks are
great for new ideas for
us to try as a family
The Playpacks are
a brilliant resource with
easy activities to do
A special time for
parent and child
together
Have fun with playpacks
Areas of Work
Playpacks are themed cloth bags, containing a variety of books,
toys and activities designed for carers and children to share
together. The contents of a playpack are based on a theme,
usually the title of a book; additional resources relate to the book
and include a puzzle, soft toy and a game. The playpack is also a
―vehicle‖ for providing information for adults; there is a folder with
a range of leaflets relating to aspects of family life such as child
safety, children‘s information service and parenting.
Costing only £2 each to borrow they can be changed as
often as you like. Playpacks can be collected from our Children‘s
Centres in Marlborough and Tidworth or from one of our regular
visits to villages in the area.

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Proud to be involved
I have been involved with Creation Station, run by the Corner House
Children‘s Centre in Marlborough for about 18 months now, but have
been acting as a volunteer for about 6 months. The session provides
parents with children under 5, access to a different creative project each
week. It gives parents the chance to try different things and teaches
them not to be afraid of the messy bits! As a volunteer, I feel proud of
Creation Station and the atmosphere we create. We have a mixed group
of ages and backgrounds attending, often having a very large group. It‘s
a really friendly session and I hope one that welcomes everyone.
Amanda and I have recently started formally planning the sessions with
each half term being themed to provide the children with a longer term
project. This allows us to plan the materials needed and link the activity
we do to other sessions run by the Children's Centre or activities within
the town.
Personally I love being involved – especially in the planning side. It‘s a
really rewarding job and is lovely to see the children dive into the various
things we come up with!
Lorraine Perry
Settling In
I first moved into the area last July. As this was my first Army posting I
was nervous about moving and leaving behind family and friends.
I started attending the Baby and Me session and made a close friend
who told me about The Zouch Group. This was ideal for me as it is held
at the school which my older daughter attends. Since joining the group I
have noticed that my daughter has become sociable, and that she has
made lots of friends. Her language skills and imagination have grown as
she watches the older children play. As for myself , I have made a great
group of friends, who I also meet up with outside the group to chat and
exchange advice.
Sian Hopkins
A Volunteer and Parent Speak Out

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On 13th May Betty Dobson from Marlborough and Tidworth Children's
Centres and Jackie Tuckett, Childcare Partnership Manager from Job-
Centre Plus, attended a reception at 10 Downing Street.
The reception was hosted by Gordon Brown, to celebrate the opening of
the 3,000th Children's Centre and to thank the Children's Centre
workforce and partner organisations for the work being done to improve
the lives of young children.
Beverly Hughes the then Children's Minister and Ed Balls from DCSF
were also present and were very complimentary of the work being
achieved. We very much felt that they had visited many Children's
Centres and had a real feel for the passion that staff have about this
important agenda.
The Prime Minister spoke of his vision that Children's Centres will be as
much a part of young children's lives as schools are for older children.
He spoke of the important work being done and also about what still
needs to be done in the future.
‘Now we have still a lot to do. We have made changes in maternity
benefits, maternity care, child tax credit, nursery education, but the
biggest change of all has been what you have achieved in the Sure Start
Children’s Centres. And I go round the country, and I think the Children’s
Centre in every area is now as much an important part of the fabric of
the community as the hospital or the church, or the primary and
secondary school in your area – absolutely central to the life of the
community. And I have met mothers whose life has been completely
transformed by the fact they can meet other mothers and talk to them
about their problems at the Children’s Centre. I have seen children
whose potential could never have been developed, had you not helped
these children, and to see the effect on the families is something that is
amazing.’
The whole reception was inspirational. We were also allowed to look
around some of 10 Downing Street; the highlight was being allowed to
peek into the cabinet room to see where all major policy decisions are
made by the Government.
Jackie Tuckett.
Childcare Partnership Manager.
3000th Children‘s Centre Celebration

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Learning Together
Cook4Life
As part of the national Change4Life initiative, we were offered the
opportunity to train two practitioners to deliver the Cook4Life
course – four sessions of two hours. The aim of the course is to
introduce parents to simple, cheap, healthy recipes that they can
cook at home for their family. Kath Kuzera and Sue Birch took up
this training, using the £300 attached grant to purchase basic
cooking equipment, with which to deliver the course. A portable
hob and two Cook4Life aprons have since been donated, making
course delivery easier.
The training included running a pilot course, and feeding the
evaluations back to Cook4Life.
The plan is to run courses across Marlborough and Tidworth
community areas, targeting small groups of parents and
encouraging them to engage in a healthier lifestyle, hopefully
having an impact on childhood obesity locally.
Sue Birch

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A Family Support Worker is someone who helps families with a
range of solutions depending on the family‘s needs.
She works with parents to teach them how to educate their children
through play, helping families to develop physical and emotional
caring skills and to support them through difficult times. This all
entails the commitment of the parents to achieve goals.
Support can be in the form of visits to the home, support within play
sessions the family accesses and/or telephone calls.
What issues might families have?
Issues could be:
being lonely
just moved to a new area
just had a new baby
feel that they can‘t cook
feel they can‘t cope with their children
concerns over speech and language development
concerns about their children‘s behaviour
concerns about healthy eating, weaning and child
development
gaining control of the family budget.
What can a family expect?
Depending on the problem a family is experiencing,
the Family Support Worker would come and visit their home and
make an assessment. On grounds of this assessment she would
make a plan with the family on how best to help them. The Family
Support Worker would support for usually 6 weeks and then
reassess the progress made and decide if more sessions were
needed.
Not all sessions need to be in the family‘s home. The Support
Worker might think it more suitable for the carer to come to the
centre for 1:1 sessions or to a group that would cater for their
needs. Ramona McIlkenny
What does a Family Support Worker do?

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 Army Welfare Service
 Ashdown Family Centre, Tidworth (NSPCC)
 Bookstart
 Bright Horizons
 Community 4
 Devizes Community Children‘s Centre
 Extended Services Co-ordinators
 Families Information Service - ask
 Healthy Minds
 Health Promotion - Oral Health
 Health Visiting Teams
 Job Centre Plus
 North Wessex Training
 Pewsey Children‘s Centre
 RF Wiltshire
 TDT (Tidworth Development Trust) until August 2009
 TEMPO until August 2009
 Voluntary Action Kennet
 Wiltshire Library Service
 Wiltshire Scrapstore
 Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Organisations & Agencies we have
worked with over the year

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Rural Needs Initiative would like to thank the following
for their financial support during the year:
 LEADER+ (Sustain the Plain) until June 2009
 Sarsen Housing (Community Development Fund)
 Wiltshire Council (Primary Funder)
 Wiltshire Council Family Learning
In addition, Rural Needs Initiative would like to thank
the following for their support:
 Ashdown Family Centre, Tidworth
 Castle Primary School, Tidworth
 Charities Information Bureau
 Clarendon Junior School, Tidworth
 Marlborough Lodge of Loyalty No.1533
 PHaros Marketing (Web site)
 Voluntary Action Kennet
 St Mary‘s Infant School, Marlborough
 Zouch Primary School ,Tidworth

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Rural Needs Initiative
The Corner House Children‘s Centre
George Lane Car Park
Marlborough SN8 4BY
Tel/Fax: 01672 513010
e-mail: info@ruralneedsinitiative.org.uk
www.ruralneedsinitiative.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 1082480
Company Limited by Guarantee
Reg. Number 4019682
November 2010