Greenwich West Children’s Centre Newsletter

GREENWICH WEST CHILDREN’S CENTRES TEAM UP FOR BETTER SERVICES FOR FAMILIES

APRIL 2015 (SUMMER TERM)

Welcome t o the 3rd edition of the GWCC newsletter. In here you can find out about upcoming events, activities, courses and more at the 5 Children’s Centres across Greenwich West, which include Invicta, Rachel McMillan, Robert Owen, Sherington and Quaggy. The 5 centres are now working in partnership to deliver services for you. We hope to get feedback from you so that we can develop the kinds of services that are needed for you and your community. If you would like to see what is happening using our online calendar then you can access it by clicking http://goo.gl/YK2TJk If you click on the agenda button on the top right hand section of the calendar you can see a list of each event for each day at each centre. This is the simplest view. Each

entry shows where the event or activity is being held. Then simply click on the event that interests you for more information. Alternatively contact information for each of the Children’s Centres is on the following page.

You can also ‘like’ us on facebook to get updates if you go to facebook.com/GWCCS or if you are reading this online click on the facebook image.

THE BUS IS COMING!

We are very excited about our new bus that will be used to reach families across Greenwich West. We have a converted mini bus with space to set up activities for families, so we will be using it to get out into the community and provide services for you. We are aiming to drive the bus to different areas to let families know who we are and how they can register and get involved in activities and events. We are currently getting the bus ready for action, so look out for posts on facebook with our new-look bus.

If you are reading this and think you may not be registered with Children’s Centres then please contact your closest centre. Details on page 3.

GWCC Greenwich West Children’s Centres

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May is National Walking Month to support this healthy method of exercise and transport. There are two major events taking place within the month which include National Walk to Work Week from 11th to 15th May and National Walk to School Week on 18th to 22nd May. You can sign up for these events at www.nationalwalkingmonth.org.uk Walking can have a major benefit on your health.

1. It strengthens your heart Regular walking has been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. It lowers levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol while increasing levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and keeps blood pressure in check.

2. It lowers disease risk As well as heart disease, a walking habit can slash your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, asthma and some cancers.

3. It keeps weight in check If you’re trying to lose weight walking as a regular part of your routine can support this. A person

weighing 60kg burns 75 calories simply by strolling at 2mph for 30 minutes. Increase that to 3mph and they’ll burn 99 calories. Speed it up to a fast walk (4mph) and that’s 150 calories – the equivalent of three Jaffa Cakes or a jam doughnut.

4. It can help prevent dementia Dementia affects one in 14 people over 65 and one in six over 80. According to Age UK, older people who walk six miles or more per week could avoid brain shrinkage and so preserve memory as the years pass.

5. It Supports your Bones Walking counts as a weight-bearing activity. It stimulates and strengthens bones, increasing their density, It also helps maintain healthy joints so may stave off conditions such as arthritis."

6. It tones your legs, bum – and tum A good walk can help strengthen and shape your legs, giving great definition to calves, quads, hamstrings and lifting your glutes (buttock muscles) – especially if you add hills. Check out these 12 fitness videos on how to tone your body 7. Let’s not forget your arms Your speed when walking comes from your arms. Hold them at a comfortable level, bent at the elbow, and swing them backwards

and forwards as you walk. Swing them faster and you’ll automatically speed up. And all this movement tones your arms, shoulders and upper back.

8. It boosts your vitamin D levels If you’re walking outside in daylight, you’ll be boosting your body’s stores of vitamin D – a nutrient that’s hard to get from food, but that we can get from exposure to sunlight. Many people in the UK are deficient in vitamin D and it’s a nutrient that plays a big role in everything from bone health to immunity.

9. It gives you energy A brisk walk is one of the best natural energizers around. It boosts circulation and increases oxygen supply to each and every cell in your body, helping you to feel more alert and alive.

10. It makes you happy Studies have shown regular, moderate-intensity exercise (such as brisk walking) to be as effective as antidepressants in cases of mild to moderate depression. Getting active releases feel-good endorphins into the Check out these tips on how to join a walking group.

Look out for activities at your nearest Children’s Centre across Greenwich West. We will be holding local walks and providing information on the benefits of walking.

Healthy Focus - National Walking Month May

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CONTACT DETAILS OF CHILDREN’S

CENTRES

Quaggy Children’s Centre Orchard Hill Lewisham London SE13 7QZ Tel: 020 8465 9785 Rachel McMillan Children’s Centre McMillan Street Deptford London SE8 3EH Tel: 020 8692 4041 Robert Owen Children’s Centre 43 Commerell Street Greenwich London SE10 0EA Tel: 020 8858 0529 Invicta Children’s Centre Invicta Road Charlton London SE3 7HE Tel: 020 8293 5037 Sherington Children’s Centre Sherington Road Charlton London SE7 7JP Tel: 020 8305 3140

Invicta School and Children’s

Centre is continuing to be rebuilt

and refurbished. Quaggy Children’s

Centre are responsible for the

delivery of activities there (contact

details above). Activities are limited

at present because of space.

However there is a thriving Stay

and Play for families still running

every Wednesday and Friday

mornings from 9.30 to 11.30 am

within the school. Story Rhyme Time continues to run on a Thursday morning at Mycenae House Community Centre. 90 Mycenae Rd, London SE3 7SE

Forest School

Forest School is now only running on Tuesday mornings between

10.00 am and 11.30 am. To give you an idea of what to expect when you go along we sent our outreach worker Kheeima along and she had this to say. Hi I’m Kheeima Stewart the Early Years Community Development Worker at Quaggy and Invicta Children’s Centre! I paid a visit to Invicta Forest School as the GWCC roving reporter and this is what I found.

According to The Forest School Training ‘The ethos of Forest School is based on a fundamental respect for children and young people and for their capacity to instigate, test and maintain curiosity in the world around them.’

Forest School gives children the first hand learning opportunity to explore the nature trail in the Invicta School Garden, hunting for snails and worms in the earth. We travel around looking for insects and bugs that live in the soil and some children are happy to touch these creatures developing their sensory skills with the slimy worms and crawly spiders! The children are dressed appropriately as they wear suitable outdoor rain covers and welly boots as they have the opportunity to engage in woodland activities with resources using water cans and pouring their own water to create big puddles to splash in!

Through Forest School children are giving an environment to help build their confidence, sensitivity, reliance and curiosity. Children are given the right to play, access the woodland outdoors environment, the right to experience a healthy range of emotions, the opportunity to socially interact and engage with their peers and family members.

While the children are freely exploring the natural world under safe supervision of their parents/carers, this is a great opportunity for parents/careers to communicate with each other, socialise and meet new friends and groups offered by the centre. At the end of the session we all meet at base camp and enjoy a snack and a hot chocolate which warms us up after a fun exploration trip outdoors.

Educational Psychologist We have scheduled a session with an Educational Psychologist (Isabela Bernado) from the Royal Borough of Greenwich to come to Mycenae House on Thursday 14th May 1pm to 4pm. If you have any concerns about your child’s development or how to manage behavior then book a slot to discuss any concerns you may have.

Slots are for 45 minutes so please contact tim@quaggychildrenscentre.org.uk to book a slot or telephone on 07525 913 948.

Changing Times

Invicta Children’s Centre

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Family Learning

‘Family Learning’ courses have been running at Rachel McMillan for a while and all parents have enjoyed being part of the sessions. The course consists of learning about children’s development as well as helping find ways in managing behaviour. Families have said how they have grown in confidence when they are faced with challenging behaviour. Families say they are more knowledgeable about their children’s next stage of learning. To find out what is being delivered for the next term please contact us and a member of staff will be happy to let you know.

Stay and Plays Stay and Plays are very popular with families and have been growing in numbers up to 25 families in one session. Through these sessions we have many talking points from keeping children safe both in and outdoors, discussing about the EYFS and what it means. Everyone enjoys cooking and making cakes, biscuits which they take home. Our Thursday Stay and Play is all about exploring with different materials and getting messy, as

you can see from the pictures children just love to explore.

Over summer our stay and plays run from 9.30 to 11.30 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings during July and until 13th August. Within the nursery we explore the Forest School. We go out on local trips: Greenwich Park for a teddy bears picnic, Mudchute Farm, Maritime Museum, Walk along the river to see the boats and the river and take a packed lunch.

See the Midwife We are talking with the midwifery service to try and arrange a regular drop-in session here at Rachel McMillan. No appointment would be needed, pregnant and post-natal mums could call in for advice, check everything is ok with their pregnancy or baby and get breast-feeding help. This is still in the early stage of planning but keep a look out. We hope to start this soon.

Website If you would like to find out more about the activities at Rachel McMillan Children’s Centre then you can access the website at http://www.rachelmcmillannursery.co.uk/ This gives you all the contact details and a variety of information on the nursery, children’s centre and other services you may be able to access.

Rachel McMillan Children’s Centre McMillan Street Deptford London SE8 3EH Tel: 020 8692 4041

Rachel McMillan Children’s Centre Children’s Centre

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Changes to the Children Centre Programme Our new partnership with Greenwich West Children’s Centres has meant we have had to make changes across our services and unfortunately we will no longer be able to run the Toy Library service from Robert Owen. We are looking at different possibilities and ways to fundraise to try and bring this service back to Robert Owen. We look forward to having your ideas about fundraising or what you would like to replace this. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Helen Maunsell and her team who have been a part of Robert Owen for some years, you all will be sorely missed by staff, parents and the children.

Functional Skills Functional skills are practical skills in English, Maths and ICT. Our course is now running every Tuesday Morning from 9.30. If you feel you would like to pop by and see how it can support you then please come along where Tuan, the tutor, will be happy to discuss your needs.

There is a crèche and this needs to be booked in advance and you are encouraged to bring your children to the centre and attend a stay and play so that they can get used to the environment and staff.

Participants are encouraged to bring along their own laptops as our resources are limited.

In additional for those of you that may have English as a second

language we can offer English classes every Wednesday morning. Children are welcome but there is currently no Crèche provision. Please contact us for more details.

CAMHS (Child and Adult Mental Health Service) workshops We have successfully run several parent workshops to enhance your experience as a parent. Raising children is very rewarding but it can come with challenges. The CAMHS workshops have helped many understand their children and provided opportunities for families to meet each other in an informal environment. We are hoping to run these again next term after Easter and are in the process of arranging further sessions. Please see centre timetable or calendar link at the end of this section.

Healthy Eating Tracey ran her Healthy eating course last term and this had lots of interest. She will be running another group after the summer

half term for new participants. If you have already attended one course but would like to attend more sessions

there will be another opportunity after Easter. Please contact for details and dates.

Men in Sheds After the great success of our termly fathers’ brunches we are going to be running a series of

Dads workshops at the centre. We have teamed up with ‘Men in Sheds’ to create workshops where dads and their children can build bird houses and bug boxes, a creative addition for your gardens or balconies.

Ladies Night Some of you may remember that a few years ago we organised a couple of very successful ladies nights. We are happy to announce that we will be holding another on Friday July 3rd. We have not confirmed the finer details so please keep up to date through our Facebook group, website and centre programme. This year will be raising money for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Also this year Beverly Woodwards’ son Fraser will be running the Virgin London Marathon to raise money for the same cause. Beverly sits at the front desk. Please follow this link if you would like to donate: https://www.justgiving.com/Fraser-Woodward2/ Useful links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/444957045595822/?ref=br_tf Please don’t send friend requests, ask to join the group. Robert Owens brand new website http://www.thebridgegreenwich.co.uk/

Robert Owen Children’s Centre 43 Commerell Street Greenwich London SE10 0EA Tel: 020 8858 0529 If you are interested in any courses or would like to comment on anything, share ideas please contact adyton@robertowen.greenwich.sch.uk

Robert Owen Children’s Centre

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Little Green Fingers

Come and join Sherington Children’s Centre community and join in the fun of growing your own fruit and vegetables. This is a new project supported by Sherington Children’s Centre staff but lead by the community. Plant your seeds and watch them grow, then enjoy the fruits of your own labour. Yum, Yum!

Yoga Jam at Sherington Interactive parent and child sessions where children are encouraged to talk, sing and explore their imagination. Accompanied by songs, rhymes, puppets and much more. Ideal programme for toddlers 18 months and over.

Functional Skills

Do you need to brush up on your English and Maths Skills? Do you wish to go to college or back to work? Then

Functional Skills is the course for you. Accredited course in Level 1 and 2 Work at your own pace, supported by a tutor Every Wednesday 1-3pm

Baby Toddler Signing and Singing

6 Weeks Course

Interactive session supporting babies’ physical social and emotional development through signing and singing

Start date 21 April 2015

Limited spaces available. Please contact Kashmir for further information

Healthy Cooking Course Do you see yourself as a Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsey in the kitchen?

Or have you just run out of enthusiasm and ideas of what to cook? Ever wondered how much salt and sugar are in your daily foods? Looking for inspiration? Then join our healthy cooking course Meet new friends share ideas and have a scrumptious lunch prepared by your own hands. Crèche Available There are limited spaces so please register your interest early!

Sherington Children’s Centre Sherington Road Charlton London SE7 7JP Tel: 020 8305 3140

For information on any of the above events please contact us.

Sherington Children’s Centre

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Quaggy Carnival Quaggy Children’s Centre are holding their annual carnival on 4th July between 1pm and 5pm. Everyone is invited to attend this great event with lots of fun activities, music and the carnival procession. If you would like to book a stall see below.

Young Peoples Group @ Quaggy Regular activities for young people include: Young People’s Group Mondays 4pm to 5.30pm (@ the Holy Trinity Centre) Young People’s Group Thurs 5.30pm to 7.00pm (@ Heathside and Lethbridge) We have some new activities coming up for young people at Quaggy Children’s Centre.

Starting Monday 13th April Music and Dance sessions in preparation for the carnival at HTC from 6pm-7:30pm. For more information please contact maddy@quaggychildrenscentre.org.uk

All the above groups are for young people 8 to 18 years of age

Skills for Work Do you need some help with improving your chances of getting a job? If so then come along to our Skills for Work course starting on Tuesday 28th April. Get help with your CV, get help with application forms, learn interview skills. It’s free and details are below.

Saturday Dad’s Group If you are a Dad or Male Carer then you are welcome to come to our Dad’s Brunch. It runs on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 10am to 12 noon. Breakfast is provided and there is always some great activities to do with your child under 8 for more information ring Tim on 07525 913 948 and you can be put on our text group list to receive updates about events and activities. .

Lifestyle Group We run a group every Friday where you can come along and meet other parents in a friendly atmosphere. You will also get the

opportunity to try out new activities such as cooking, arts and crafts and more. The session has a crèche. It runs from 9.30 to 11.30. If you would like more information please email angela@quaggychildrenscentre.org.uk

Calling all Quaggy Parents

The Quaggy Fit class returns for the summer term on Wednesday 15th at a new time - 9.30am in the Holy Trinity Centre. Come along for a fun, free workout, with creche place provided. The keep fit sessions will run every week throughout the summer term.

Other Activities There are lots more activities that you can access at Quaggy so if you want to view the online timetable then please click http://goo.gl/Mkf8Cg

Please ‘like’ our Quaggy page on facebook to receive up to date information on the latest events. http://goo.gl/GMMCjn

Quaggy Children’s Centre

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