CHILDREN from across West Devon took part in an extra special birthday celebration in Okehampton last week.
The Okehampton Children's Centre, under the management of Barnardo's South West, is continuing to go from strength to strength supporting local families and has just celebrated its first birthday.
Ruth Bushell, local services co-ordinator for the children's centre, said: 'In our first year we have achieved much and have plans for lots of new developments in the future.
'There have been many highlights of the first year including running training courses for parents in first aid, crèche work, money matters and budgeting, and breastfeeding peer support.
'We have set up a parents' forum, which now has over 20 members. We have run sessions to enable parents to engage with their child's play and learning — messy play, family craft and toy library sessions.
'And to encourage bonding and good communication we run regular bounce and rhyme and baby massage courses with the overall aim being to make a positive difference to the lives of local children and their families.
'We would like to thank our many partners and supporters without whom the work would not happen; including the youth service, the Museum of Dartmoor Life, Okehampton Library, Hatherleigh children's centre, the Okehampton health visitors, midwives, speech therapists, local schools, pre-schools and nurseries, Totsy Turvy, Isla Ball, Home-Start, La Leche League, OCRA, Family Learning plus the dedicated members of our management board.
'Thanks also go to the local churches, parish and town councils and the Ockment Centre for providing us with suitable venues for our many activities.'
Okehampton's Children's Centre covers a large chunk of West Devon including Okehampton, North Tawton, South Zeal, South Tawton, Belstone, Sticklepath, Bridestowe, Lydford, Lewtrenchard, Chagford, Whiddon Down and Drewsteignton.
For further information on the different services the children's centre has to offer please contact the children centre office on 01837 658621.