By Sarah Newstead

Last updated 05:36, Friday, 04 July 2008

TWO eagerly-awaited children’s centres are preparing to open their doors to families in Aspatria and Silloth.

More fluid: Hannah Davison

A purpose-built Barnardo’s centre near Silloth Primary School has been completed after work stalled following problems with its electricity supply.

Work on the Aspatria centre, formerly home to the Solway Rural Initiative on King Street, is also finished after refurbishments. Both centres are now awaiting furniture and equipment.

Work costing £682,000 began last year on the schemes.

The centres will offer one-stop-shops for families who currently have to travel to Wigton to get some services. Staff have also welcomed the new permanent bases.

Hannah Davison, Barnardo’s services co-ordinator for Silloth and Aspatria, said: “It will mean that the services we offer can run more fluidly. We will also be able to run more services.

“At the moment it’s a case of loading the van and going to the church halls, then having to pack up again at the end of the session. It makes the day a lot longer.”

The new centres will provide integrated services for families with children under five and it is hoped they will welcome their first groups by September.

Children’s charity Barnardo’s, was awarded a contract to provide the services in Allerdale from this April. Managers surveyed residents in the two towns to discover what families needed most.

Family learning, training courses for parents, breast feeding support, healthy eating advice, play development and family support will be at the top of the agenda.

Ms Davison added: “There will be a one-to-one meeting room for anyone who needs to speak to someone in private. I’m hoping to get Jobcentre Plus to come in because our nearest Jobcentre is at Maryport.”

Councillor Jim Buchanan, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for children’s well-being, said: “The children’s centres are at the heart of our commitment towards integrating services for Cumbria’s children and families.

“Building on the tremendous work that has already been achieved, the services will ensure that there is the right amount and type of provision where it is needed.”

Funding for the new centres comes from Cumbria County Council, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), Allerdale Council, the North West Development Agency and North Allerdale Children’s Centre.