What is Dungiven Sure Start?
Sure Start Dungiven covers the four electoral wards of Dungiven, Feeny, Upper Glenshane and the Highlands. They are located around the small market town of Dungiven with a large widely spread hinterland. These rural wards are located in a very deprived part of the Limavady Borough Council area with three of them ranked as the three most deprived.

Sure Start is an innovative Government programme which aims to provide family support services to parents who have children aged under four. Whilst the overall aim is to improve the development and life chances of both children and carers, each programme must respond to the unique demands presented by their communities.

The programme is largely based around the Dry Arch Centre where many of its services operate from. However we hope to provide an increasing number of services on an outreach basis to communities in the wards of Upper Glenshane, Feeny and the Highlands.

What services do we offer?

• Sessional and full time day care:

provides care for children aged 0-3 years to support parents in employment/training or parents accessing services. This service is supplemented by a pre-school education Playgroup and out-of-schools club on the same site.

• Pre-school playgroup:

catering for 16 children under 4 years of age. Play is guided by Northern Ireland pre-school curriculum and is structured seven areas of learning

• Parenting Education & Support:

All Sorts Group
Supported by Creche facilities
Activities are determined by members including recreational
Activities and practical skills
Barnardo's 'Pareting Matters'
Practical Parenting/Family Wise

• Activate Programme:

Alcohol/Drugs Awareness
Smoking Cessation
Physical Fitness
Stress Management

• Baby Blues Support Group:

"Listening Visits" by Health visitors, supported by Outreach Creche Worker. Peer support group within the centre.

• Breast Feeding Support Group:

To ensure parents have a fully informed choice on infant feeding. To support the promotion of breast feeding and to facilitate an increase in breast feeding rates.

• Mother & Toddler Group:

Opportunity for local parents to meet for an informal chat, share ideas and concerns. Allows children to play in a safe and friendly environment.

• Toy Library:

Provides a wide range of developmental educational toys for loan.

• Health Visiting:

Primary visits to all new babies
Developmental assessment at 8 weeks
Immunisation Programmes
Developmental checks at 7 months, 18 months, 27 months and 4 years
Visits to families at risk on child protection register
Support for families in accessing services

• Make Your Mark Art Therapy

• Outreach Family Support Service:

Provides parenting support and education in the families home for those most 'in need'

• Adult Education:

Specific courses supported through Limavady Community Education Forum

• Benefits Advice:

Sign posting and Advocacy provided by Dungiven Resource Centre.

Where can I get more information?
Further information can be obtained by contacting:
Brenda Macqueen / Lynne Kelly
Dry Arch Centre (for families)
Glenshane Business Park
50 Legavallon Road
Dungiven
BT47 4QL

Tel 02877742904 Fax 02877742972
www.dryarchcentre.com e-mail:dryarchcentre@btconnect.com