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Paddy Leonard, 14 Jun
As Waterside Sure Start celebrated its sixteenth birthday on Friday,
nobody was prouder than long-standing staff member Natasha Burke.
Natasha has been Waterside Sure Start's service coordinator for the
past year, but her journey began there 14 years ago when she started
off as a creche worker.
“I progressed to supervisor, then went to the early intervention team
based in our building, and I'm now back co-ordinating Sure Start, so
I've kinda gone full circle.
[Surestart_AFC_NI_Party_05-1686646236578.jpg--waterside_sure_start_cele
brates__sweet_sixteen__at_official_opening_of_action_for_children_build
ing.jpg?1686646237296]
Waterside Sure Start celebrates 'sweet sixteen' at official opening of
Action for Children building
Innovative family support hub at Ebrington hailed as a 'model' facility
“All four of the Action for Children services that work across the
Waterside are all here in the one building, so we like to call
ourselves 'Team Ebrington'.
“Each service has different roles within the community and works with
different partnerships, but essentially we all work collaboratively
together to support the children and families of the area.
“Sure Start is from ante-natal right up to the fourth birthday, so we
provide a whole range of services that cater for all those different
stages.
“We work in partnership with midwives, so those with a baby on the way
would be told about the service. That early intervention is a core part
of what we do.
"As well as play, learning and development for the children, we have
creche facilities here so the parents can avail of our parent and baby
programmes and other programmes such as positive parenting, walking
groups and baby massage.”
Natasha, who has seen firsthand the huge benefits the services based in
the building have brought to so many families in the area, said it was
a 'privilege' to come to work each day.
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le_for_sure_start_s_groundbreaking_mother_and_son.jpg?1686645799823]
Waterside Sure Start: Full circle for Sure Start's groundbreaking
mother and son
She added: “You may help families with similar issues, but every single
person is different and you adapt your approach to each and every
family member.
“And that's why I love my job as much as I do; every day is different,
but you're making a difference every day that you work.”