Swansea young families publish Best Start storybook at Grand Theatre

Young parents at Action for Children’s Swansea Support, Advice, Informal advocacy and Life coaching (SAIL) service have published their storybook, Rainbow Soup, at the Grand Theatre, Swansea on Wednesday May 2nd.

The Lord Mayor of the city and county of Swansea, Philip Downing presented the final version of the book to the families at a special ceremony.
 
The young parents wrote Rainbow Soup with the help of Swansea’s Healthy Cities Best Start initiative working in partnership with the Swansea Healthy and Sustainable Pre-School Scheme.

Local illustrator and authors Thomas and Helen Docherty led a two-day workshop in Penlan Methodist Church in Swansea. The theme of the book is healthy eating and wellbeing and is dedicated to the children of the young parents who took part.

The book will be available in libraries across Swansea and will also be used to promote healthy living in childcare settings across Swansea

Swansea SAIL is a service that offers one-to-one and group support for young parents and parents-to-be aged 14 to 25 years old living in the city. The project tailors an approach that suits individual needs including support from a life coach or a multi systemic therapist, informal advocacy, individual or couples therapy, preparing for court and dealing with having a child in foster care or adopted.

The service also helps our young parents or parents-to-be with wellbeing, emotional resilience, isolation, self-esteem and confidence to help them become the best parents they can be.

Alison Long, team leader at the Swansea SAIL project, said: ‘The families involved in the workshop thoroughly enjoyed the process.  They developed drawing skills and were involved in the writing of the story as well as developing new friendships and discussing healthy eating and how to grow fresh fruit and vegetables.

‘It was incredibly important to have this launch today and celebrate the work of our young parents we support in Swansea SAIL.  They’ve done an incredible job and we want to applaud them for all the hard work they put into it and make sure it gets the recognition that it really deserves.’

Young Swansea mother, Wendy said:  ‘It was really good, the kids are going to love reading it.  My kids read a lot of books so they’re going to enjoy reading one mummy and daddy have written.  We’re really proud and have told all the family about it.’

Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing, Cllr Mark Child, said: ‘The young parents who took part in this project should be very proud of the book they have produced. I’m delighted that it will be available for people to read at our libraries and I’d encourage them to seek it out.’

Young parents with Mayor

Helen and Thomas Docherty with young parent James

For further media information please contact Alastair Love, media officer at Action for Children, on 02920 347068 / 07872 675688 / alastair.love@actionforchildren.org.uk

Out–of–hours enquiries should be directed to the duty press officer on 07802 806679/ media.team@actionforchildren.org.uk