Bognor Regis mums campaign against ‘short-sighted’ plans to shut children and family centre - 'Please don’t take it away'

That was the heartfelt plea of a new mum set to be impacted by plans to shut a children and family centre in Bognor Regis.

Proposals to reduce the number of centres in West Sussex from 43 to 11 have been discussed by a county council scrutiny committee.

One of the centres earmarked for closure is at Victoria Drive, Bognor Regis, which has been an ‘essential lifeline’ to young families since it became a Surestart centre in 2005.

Inclusion teaching assistant Jane Charlton said she hasn’t had the chance to go to any groups or health visitor drop-ins due to the pandemic.

She added: “It’s been such a struggle to not properly meet and chat with other parents, to share the experience, and stress, of a new baby, and now a toddler.

"Covid already robbed so many of us from what we hoped maternity leave and parenthood might be. Please don’t take it away.”

More than 9,800 people have signed a petition against the proposed cuts.

Mum and former childcare provider Lydia Rankin said: “Family services are going to be needed more than ever. They assist with so much early intervention, mental health, and wellbeing. It’s a very short-sighted cut.

“With the staff and volunteers helping individuals and families, they can prevent the need for other professional help further down the line.”

Lydia said it ‘makes me sad for other families’ that necessary support may not be available.

“Also this centre is accessible for all as you can get there with public transport whereas you can’t to others,” she added. “It infuriates me beyond belief that so much money was thrown into these places, building them, and then they just waste them.”

The changes form part of a proposed redesign of the county council’s Early Help provision which it says aims to improve the services offered to the most vulnerable children and families, making sure they receive the help they need.

Jacquie Russell, cabinet member for children and young People, said: “As part of our improvement plan we need to be more targeted in reaching the families we know need the most help and support.

"These plans would help us to do that. Rather than expecting vulnerable children and families to come to us, our plan is for our staff to go to them.

"These proposals are about doing the best we can for vulnerable children and families. Any changes made will be subject to full and thorough consultation where I would encourage people to come and have their say.”

Mums who use the ‘excellent’ facilities think it would be a mistake to close the centre.

Heather Robbins, whose children used to be supported by the centre, said: “The gardens and rooms and toys are state-of-the-art, very large, bright, open and welcoming.

“Ofsted recently reported that ‘the well-attended and highly effective’ breastfeeding clinics, workshops and cafés are helping increase breastfeeding rates.”

A petition to halt the planned cuts can be found at www.change.org/p/west-sussex-county-council-halt-the-planned-cuts-to-west-sussex-children-and-family-centres