Shout out for Sure Start

Manchester Labour this week joined parents, children’s charities, MPs and trade unions in supporting a new campaign to celebrate and promote the value that Sure Start Children’s Centres bring to communities by supporting all families and children under five.

Longsight campaigner Suzanne Richards said:
“Our Sure Start centre is making a massive difference to children and families in Longsight, helping parents ride out the recession and giving children a sure start on the path to a better future. That is why I am adding my support to the 'Shout out for Sure Start' campaign. Manchester Labour is calling for a Sure Start centre in every community.

“Back in 1997 there were no Children’s Centres but thanks to investment from the Labour government there are now 35 across Manchester, offering services to more than 30,000 children and their families.”

Labour will continue to invest in Sure Start funding this year, next year and the year after with increased funding up to 2013, but the Tories have already committed to cutting £200 million each year from the Sure Start budget.

Shout out for a Sure Start believes that: a sure start sets you up for life; every child deserves a Sure Start; investment in children is an investment in our future.

For more information please visit the campaign’s website at www.shoutoutforasurestart.org.uk or follow the campaign on Twitter at @Shout4SureStart and by using the following hash tag #shoutoutforsurestart

First Glimpse of Longsight Library

The much-anticipated opening of the new-look Longsight Library is planned for the end of April but for those who couldn't wait that long, a sneak preview took place on Monday 22 March.

For anyone eager to catch a glimpse of the library before the new equipment, furniture and Adult Learning Centre move in, it opened its doors so people could see the changes that have been made.

Longsight Labour Campaigner, Suzanne Richards said: “Longsight Library is at the heart of our community and people keep asking me about the improvements that have been made and what will be on offer. This preview day has given people a chance to look round the building and see for themselves the new layout and speak to library staff about the changes.”

The library has been closed since February while major works have been undertaken to improve and expand the services for the area and to combine the library and learning centre facilities for the first time.

The library will include a new children’s zone, a homework club and the first headspace zone – a new laid-back environment for your people to read or get online.

The first floor will feature the new Learning Centre to include classrooms for various courses such as music, language, history, crafts, literacy and numeracy. There will also be a relaxing break-out space and community area.