Foreign Secretary visits Peartree
Foreign Secretary David Miliband met parents and staff at Spurgeons' Pear Tree Children's Centre in Kempston, Bedfordshire.
The father-of-two adopted young children met mother-of-three Elaine Yorke, 38, who described the Sure Start centre as a 'lifeline' after feeling isolated and like she had 'nowhere to go' following the birth of her first daughter Chloe five years ago.
When her second daughter Niamh, now aged four, was born she sought help for postnatal depression and signed up for courses where she learnt more about parenting and took her daughters to sessions where they made new friends and had the opportunity to learn through play.
"Sure Start Children's Centres are a fantastic place for families," she said.
"Attending the centre has helped me recover from postnatal depression, given me the confidence to be a better parent and strengthened the relationship I have with my daughters."
Pear Tree is one of more than 3,000 Sure Start centres set up by the Government over the last 10 years to provide childcare, a family health service and advice on parenting. Spurgeons manages 31of these centres across the UK.
Mr Miliband revealed he'd heard some 'great' testimonials during his visit.
"Integrated services within the community are great and it's clear a lot of thought has gone into the activities here - I'm impressed," he said.
Jane Smyth has managed Pear Tree Children’s Centre since it opened just over two years ago.
"David Miliband was genuinely interested in the work we do and our families - he made them feel special and valued," she said.