Swansea young families to publish Best Start storybook at Grand Theatre

Young parents at Action for Children’s Swansea Support, Advice, Informal advocacy and Life coaching (SAIL) service will publish their storybook, Rainbow Soup, at the Grand Theatre, Swansea on Wednesday May 2nd at 12 noon.

The Lord Mayor of the city and county of Swansea, Philip Downing will present 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: ‘It’s a real thrill being able to present the book to the young parents after all the hard work and enthusiasm they’ve shown.

‘They really bought into the project and it’s been great to see how it has boosted their confidence while producing something long lasting for their children. They have faced very challenging issues in their young lives and they deserve this special day at the Grand Theatre.’

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.’