Reaching out to rural families

Jun 12 2007 By The Journal

The berwick Borough Family Centre is reaching out to parents and children in some of the most remote areas of North Northumberland.

Opened in 1994 as a pilot project in a council house, the centre now serves 1,000 adults and children every week from its base in Berwick town centre.

The project is going from strength to strength with the help of £150,000 of European funding- through two grants from ESF and from ERDF Priority 4, which aims to encourage the economic development of targeted communities by enhancing the employability of local residents and their access to work.

Parents in rural locations, including Wooler, Millfield, Belford and Spittal, now have access to vocational courses aimed at boosting work skills, such as the introduction to computers course.

From women's health groups and parenting classes right through to counselling and training placements, the centre also offers crèche facilities, play schemes and after-school groups to allow parents to attend the centre.

PICTURE CAPTION: Project manager Angela McKeown and children at Berwick Borough Family Centre