ONE of the most needy areas of Bury is to benefit from a new scheme to tackle child poverty and social exclusion.

Bury Council has been successful in winning cash backing which will allow the setting up of a government Sure Start programme to help out in the Redvales ward of the town.

The aim of the scheme is to try and improve the health and well-being of families and their children. The hope is that with a good grounding from early age, youngsters will flourish when they start school.

Children under the age of four and their families will be the main target and giving clear information and access to further advice and support will also be a prominent role of Sure Start.

Bury's chairman of lifelong learning, Councillor Trevor Holt, said: "This is a chance to tackle problems which, in areas like Redvales, have sadly persisted for many years. The hope is to break the cycle and really make a difference."

"Sure Start works in ways that involve parents, local people and the statutory agencies as partners. These partners can identify what is needed and just how it should be delivered to cater for local needs."

Key objectives range from improving social and emotional development to better health, boosting the ability to learn plus strengthening families and communities.

Coun Holt said: "What we want to do is actively involve the community in planning and working to develop new services and also add value to those services which are already helping locally."

Sure Start will offer everything from home visiting to active support for families and parents, encouraging quality play plus learning and childcare experiences for children. Health care will figure predominantly as will support for children and parents with special needs.

Coun Holt added: "It is important though that we involve the community from the beginning. We need to know what is already available and being used by parents and how we can improve and extend those services. At the same time we are sure that parents have their own ideas of what is needed and these are the kind of things that we want to hear."

Mums and dads together with their children are invited along to two free sessions which are being planned at Running Wild on Spring Street in Bury. They take place on Wednesday, November 8, 11am-12.30pm or Thursday, November 9, 1pm-2.30pm.