Projects and Partner Agencies
Devon’s Children’s Centres work with partner agencies to provide services for children and families. Below are some of the services that the childrens centre link with:
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The Devon Positive about Breastfeeding Scheme
In Devon we are positive about breastfeeding and we recognise that every parent, however they are feeding their baby, should be welcomed to feed in public. Some parents can feel vulnerable and self-conscious about feeding their baby in public. This is often made worse if they receive a negative reaction, particularly when a child is being breastfed.
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Book Trust
Book Trust is the UKs Largest Children’s Reading charity. Each year we reach 3.9 million children across the UK with books, resources and support.
BookTrust HomeTime – enjoy Storytime with our free online books and videos, play games, win prizes, test your knowledge in our book-themed quizzes, or even learn how to draw some of your favourite characters.
Bookstart Corner is a free, targeted programme offering extra support to families to read with their children with confidence. Bookstart Corner is delivered by Devon’s Children’s Centres.
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Healthy Start
With Healthy Start, parents get free vouchers every week to spend on milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and infant formula milk. You can also get free vitamins.
Pregnant or have children under the age of four? You could qualify if you’re on benefits, or if you’re pregnant and under 18.Pregnant women, women with a child under 12 months and children aged up to four years who are receiving Healthy Start vouchers are entitled to free Healthy Start vitamins. Healthy Start vitamins contain vitamins A, C and D for children aged from birth to four years, and folic acid and vitamins C and D for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
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Smokefree Devon
Smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable disease and premature death in Devon. It is also a significant driver of health inequalities within the County, with rates remaining higher within some of our most vulnerable groups.
Find out about getting support to quit smoking, the work of the Smokefree Devon Alliance and information for practitioners and partners working on tobacco control.
Children’s Centre’s and Early Years settings have a role to play in helping Devon to become Smokefree. A training module is available for staff which includes a guide to the importance of smokefree sites and your role in supporting smokers to quit.
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National Smile Month
National Smile Month (May-June) is the largest and longest-running campaign to promote good oral health. Which is supported every year by Devons Childrens Centres and Public Health Teams.
Together, with thousands of individuals and organisations, it highlights three key messages, all of which go a long way in helping us develop and maintain a healthy mouth. They are:
- Brush your teeth last thing at night and on at least one other occasion with a fluoride toothpaste
- Cut down on how much sugary food and drink you have, and how often you have them
- Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.
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Sugar Smart
Sugar Smart is a campaign run by Sustain. We help local authorities, organisations, workplaces and individuals to reduce the amount of sugar we all consume. We need your help to stop the sugar crisis. You can download information, posters recipes, and activity ideas to reduce sugar.
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Healthy Weight Declaration
Devon County Council has become the first council in the South West to sign a Local Government Declaration to promote healthy weight across the county through improved food and drink provision. Devon County Council has become the first council in the South West to sign a Local Government Declaration to promote healthy weight across the county through improved food and drink provision.