Our battle to save Little Treasures children’s centre (From Southend Standard)

Petition to fight for Westcliff children's centre

1:00pm Friday 17th February 2012 in Southend By Emma Thomas

Sign up – Little Treasures staff with the petition

PARENTS have started a petition to save a popular children’s centre threatened with closure.

Little Treasures, in Electric Avenue, Westcliff, is set to close as part of Southend Council plans to save £200,000.

But mums, dads and staff at the centre are not going quietly and are collecting signatures opposing the plans saying it is a vital facility for local families.

Mum-of-two Louise Ford, 33, lives within walking distance of the centre.

She said: “I have been to various groups there over the years. I know what a good job they do. It just seems a shame.

“I have heard plenty of people say that without them they wouldn’t be able to cope.

“When you have got something that essential, I just don’t see how it can even be a consideration to shut it down.

“There are so many families living around here.

“You see how busy the groups are.”

Mike Wright and his team at Westcliff Elim Church have run Little Treasures for the past six years.

Mr Wright said: “We run antenatal classes, breastfeeding support, early parenting courses and lots of things for young families.

“We have a Relate councillor in once a week providing support. If this goes, the council argument is that people will be able to go to other centres, but that will mean they will have to walk up to a mile in one direction or another.

“The parents who come in build a relationship with the staff members and they know them well, trust them. Some parents who go back to work use our nursery facilities as well and parents who use the nursery can come in the children’s centre.”

The proposed cuts will also see the Cockleshells children’s centre, based at the Adult Community College, in Ambleside Drive, Southend, also close.

The Little Treasures nursery will be unaffected by the cuts.

Mark Flewitt, the Tory councillor responsible for children and learning, said: “We are in the consultation period at the moment, so we are hoping there will be comments from people.

“However, unless someone can come up with the missing money we are a bit stuck. We are in sensible and serious discussions. I am optimistic that there will be some room for manoeuvre. It won’t save the children’s centre, but it might go some way to making some provision.”

To sign the petition, go to www.ipetitions.com and search for “Save Little Treasures Children’s Centre”.

For more information about the public consultation, go to www.southend.gov.uk/child renscentreconsultation.