Ealing Children’s Centres 2019-2022 Consultation Feedback
In February, the council published a draft strategy which set out proposals to secure the long-term stability of its children’s centres at a time of increasing funding pressures. Over a 12-week period it asked for comments on plans to retain services at its seven main children’s centres, and either keep, or enhance, services at nine linked centres. It proposed significantly reducing early years services at the remaining 11 sites, with closures possible.
Over the course of the consultation, the council conducted 385 face-to-face interviews with centre users, received 1,800 questionnaires and eight stakeholder responses. Ealing currently has 27 children’s centres.
Many thanks to all parents and clients who took part in the consultation process. EASE/Copley Close Children’s centre now remains open.
Some of the actual feedback from our clients
I have a seven-year-old, five year old and an 8 month old baby. I simply wouldn’t go to any other centre as I find it hard to trust anyone. Here I have gained the trust in the staff and find the parents very kind and helpful. It’s great in the holiday for the kids of all different ages found out from a friend about this place and I have never looked back. Here I am never judged – no one is here- can talk privately and you know that it won’t go any further.
Sometimes you go to a place and it’s a bit ‘judgy’ it’s not like that here it is welcoming Especially older mums they can look down at you but not here.
The courses are amazing and I have learnt so much, where else would I have learned these things?
I have made friends here and if this is closed it would be so bad for so many people- the children young ones and older ones and the families.
How would someone like me get the support I need? Where
would I get it?
Also when a mum or dad has a problem we all look out and notice if something is wrong- we are a community- we ask each other.
Some of the things are so very simple but mean a lot. Many of us don’t have much money so the trips are amazing for us
Many of the mums I have met here have had depression and mainly its loneliness and starting at the four walls- often in rented accommodation- it is so hard not to have money and to have a small child it is very lonely – sometimes you end up thinking you’re a bad mum- but they help you here- you can breathe a sigh of relief.
Isolated mums for example getting depressed some of them don’t even leave the house it takes a lot to get them here, but once they are here they are likely to get the help they need. They are so well cared for here, they feel they belong which is so important.
Look around you they become friends and get support from each other.
I wouldn’t go anywhere else- I trust them here. Everything is run around how we the parents and children need This is my one get away that makes me happy and is good for my baby- I have gained so much confidence since I have come here- it’s my extended family- welcoming and kind.
THEY ARE MY LIFE OR DIE – SO HELPFUL SO WONDERFUL- I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT THEM??
We need to invest in the youths (young people) not reduce that investment- ensuring the kids get the support they need and also want- most kids don’t want to end up in a life of crime and join a gang – it is often because they don’t have a choice – look at the news it’s all about knife crime? Kids need a safe place, and this is it- this is the safe place!
It takes a long time to build an environment like this- it takes five minutes to destroy it. All the people who work here are amazing.
We came together my friend and me- we were a bit nervous, but it was so welcoming, and we felt at home from the first day we came, we were really made to feel welcome.
I was so worried about coming here before I came- it takes courage and you are a bit lonely and isolated when you have a baby, they really make you feel welcome You need to think about other young mums like us- where will they go and what chance will they have? I really look forward to Friday when I know I am coming here- I save up my questions too if I have any! Whether it nappy rash- solid food.
I made so many friends here- you would not believe how shy I used to be- I couldn’t do simple things- I just didn’t know how to – they not only give support but help you believe in yourself and that you can achieve –Literally my whole childhood was in one building- the CC- with these people I felt happy – I felt I belonged – I don’t know anywhere else my parents would have taken me or felt ‘safe’ to do so. They used to help me with my homework- they taught me how to cook- they taught me how to sew. They are my real extended family- I love them.
There is nowhere else I could have got the help that I got here.
Emma has given me so much confidence, Help with applications. It’s not just that stuff I trust the people here. I need this place to ‘give me a kick up the backside’ .
A lot of mothers at Copley Close have problems :
housing, benefits, health…
Here we can all get the help we need without being judged – so many mothers use this service – for me they are like my family.
You can see the development in your child.
My daughter had Attention Deficit Disorder and they helped me so much – I was exhausted.
They have helped with housing application and benefits advice for my son. I am more confident. I have finally secured a care plan for my son with help of the centre. I could not have done this without their help. I have done the First Aid course so I feel more capable in dealing with my son. I have also done the parenting course. As soon as I go to the centre I feel like I am home. Staff notice if I am upset.
They did so much for me Michelle is like a second mum to me- I would never have gone to university if it wasn’t for them- I am doing a psychology degree.
My son didn’t talk they took him out of his shell -they helped him and me.
There are so many kids out there like me they need help to- where will they go??
I don’t know what my life would have been like without them- sometimes as a child you just need someone to listen without judging you.
They are my role models – because OF THEM I AM WHO I AM TODAY
I WANT TO DO YOUTH WORK BECAUSE OF THEM – THEY HAVE GIVEN ME A PURPOSE I WANT TO HELP THEM.
They reduce the crime rate I am sure of it- Copley Close – they create a safe environment.
So many people are isolated and lonely in this place- here everyone and anyone can come and belong.
No one out there would be so friendly and make you feel you belong- normal teachers can only do so much they go beyond that.
I used to go to Copley Close they always made time for me as I was growing up- they always helped me- my parents didn’t speak English but I did English Literature and did really well
By closing this you are creating segregation of classes-
This is one of the few places that has open arms why would you cut them off????
What about the stabbings the gangs – without this place it would be much worse.
Kids would have nothing to do- they go to the youth clubs because they have come here.
- Women here showed me how to manage money- I didn’t know how to do that- no one teaches you that
- Closing here would be the biggest mistake the council could make.
- This place is so important- DO THEY NOT CARE ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION????
- It’s the simple stuff – equipping children and parents for the future FOR LIFE
- Citizenship- credit – basics
