Almost £1.8 million to create new projects to help Carmarthenshire’s most vulnerable families

£1,789,500 extra is being invested to help families in some of Carmarthenshire’s most disadvantaged areas, Communities & Tackling Poverty Minister Huw Lewis announced today (Mon 13th May).

The capital funding will go towards the creation of more children’s centres and childcare settings in Carmarthenshire where parents will be able to access the help and support they need to cope with the pressures of poverty. The expanded Flying Start facilities will provide parents with a programme of services that will enable them to better look after their child’s health and well being.

The scheme currently supports 18,000 children across Wales and the Welsh Government wants to expand this to cover 36,000 children and their families. There are currently 140 locations in all parts of Wales where parents can access Flying Start support, and this will be expanded with a further 146 projects. Ministers are providing a total of £74 million in 2013/14 to achieve this target.

Flying Start gives eligible parents free part-time childcare for 2-3 year olds, parenting support, an enhanced health visitor service and help for early language development. It supports families to look after their children’s health and well being, working in partnership with primary and community healthcare.

Huw Lewis said:

“A child’s start in life is vital and that is why we are prioritising early years support as it can make a real difference. Given the ongoing problems of the economy, combined with the impact of the UK Government’s changes to welfare that will squeeze some of the most vulnerable, we will expand Flying Start over the next few years to target specific communities where there are high concentrations of families living on benefit.

“Flying Start is a crucial part of our efforts to combat poverty and help children in the early part of their lives to make sure they have the opportunity to learn, develop and play. It also allows parents the opportunity to gain new skills and look for work.

“This is about making a real difference to the lives of families and currently around 18,000 young children in deprived areas have access to Flying Start and we want to see this increase to 36,000. That is why we are funding the creation of new facilities.”