Clean, fresh, bright and welcoming – Chorley’s Children’s Centres have everything Suzanne is looking for when she takes her baby outA pleASure to viSitBaby Massage classes started at the local school in February this year, just before the new Children’s Centre building was opened, and although the sessions were then held in a temporary building, Suzanne really enjoyed the chance to get out and meet other new mums. However, when they were able to move into the new Centre, Suzanne was even more enthusiastic. “It is such a lovely, clean and airy place with a fantastic atmosphere,” she says. “Everything about it is welcoming and bright, with lovely displays of the children’s work all around. It’s a pleasure to walk into.”

Suzanne and Carlo Dellafera live near Chorley with their daughter, six-month old Hannah. Suzanne and Hannah have been going to Baby Massage sessions at Coppull Children’s Centre, one of the Chorley Children’s Centres, ever since it opened this year.

A lovely wAy to Spend A morningThe new setting for the Baby Massage classes is a big improvement, too, believes Suzanne. “They seem to have thought of everything – mats to lie on, soothing music, bouncy chairs for the babies and a special room with changing and feeding facilities so that if one of the babies is unhappy, you can take it out so you don’t disturb the others. It’s all very relaxed, very well organised, a lovely way to spend a morning – and it’s free!”

new ideASFollowing the massage sessions, one of the Health Visitors or other professionals comes in to give a talk on subjects such as dental care, nutrition, weaning or post-natal physiotherapy, all of which Suzanne has found very useful. “They have also suggested other things we can take the children to, such as the Singing Group at the library and places we might not have heard about otherwise, and several of us meet up regularly now we’ve got to know each other through the Centre. It’s given me a whole new social life!”

As Suzanne was the only one among her old friends to have children, being able to meet other mums was a real bonus. “It’s nice to have someone to bounce ideas off,” she says. “The babies at the massage sessions are all a similar age so we can compare notes and because we’ve got something in common we all get on really well.”

everything A mum Could wAntHaving a small baby, one of Suzanne’s main priorities when she takes Hannah out is cleanliness and convenience, and that’s another thing she likes about Coppull Children’s Centre. “Obviously, being so new you would expect it to be clean and fresh, but I get the impression that that is something which is important to the staff and that they will maintain it,” she believes. “The changing facilities are brilliant, and there’s somewhere to warm bottles and to sit comfortably while you’re feeding the baby, as well as toys for them to play with, and more besides. It’s also very secure – no-one can just wander in, and that’s important, too. I really can’t fault it and I’m so glad it’s there.”

Something for everyoneSuzanne was interested to find that the Centre Manager is keen to listen to the parents who use it and to provide whatever facilities they want where possible. “I’ve heard that they are hoping to start up a Music Group and there’s already a Toy Library. They also have ample parking, which is a major factor when contending with the weather, baby, pram and bags. I’ll certainly be getting involved in whatever they do and I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes next!”

Coppull Children’s Centre Park Road Coppull PR7 5AH

Tel: 01257 791237 (option 3) Fax: 01257 795314

Duke Street Children’s CentreDuke StreetChorleyPR7 3DU

Tel: 01257 276253Fax: 01257 460399 Email: dukestreetcc@lancashire.gov.uk

Clayton Brook Children’s Centre Great Greens Lane Clayton Brook Preston PR5 8HL

The Children’s Centre Is In The Grounds Of Clayton Brook Primary School. Tel. 01772 310150 Fax. 01772 310151Email. Lesley.Davies@lancashire.gov.uk

Astley and Buckshaw Children’s Centre Chancery Road Astley Village Chorley PR7 1XP

Tel: 01257 248980

Highfield Children’s Centre Wright Street Chorley PR6 0SL

Tel.01257 262441 and 01257 262556 www.highfieldchildrenscentre.co.uk Tel: 01257 248980