A Better Start Southend has been shortlisted for the ‘Children and Young People Now’ awards in two categories: The Partnership Working Award, and The Early Years Award. The Children & Young People Now Awards have become the gold standard for organisations working with children, young people and families. Now in their 17th year, these awards provide a great source of pride and recognition for all those who strive to improve the lives of others.

The Partnership Working category has recognised A Better Start Southend for its work as a partnership of statutory, community and voluntary organisation, as well as parent representatives from the local community. Since its inception in 2015, the A Better Start Southend partnership has helped over 5,000 local families to give their child the best start in life with support in communication and language development, diet and nutrition and social and emotional development. Over the remaining three years of National Lottery Community Funding, the programme is projected to reach a further 3,000 families.

Alongside this, the A Better Start Southend ‘Talking Transitions’ project has also been shortlisted for the Early Years Award category. The project – which is being delivered with Southend primary schools and their respective Early Years settings– aims to support children’s transition from their early years provider to reception. It is a unique and innovative project, that focuses on communication and language as a catalyst for change. Specialist Early Years Teachers, and Project leads, Sian Ansell and Lynsey Weston have said:

“It is fantastic that ‘Talking Transitions’ project has been recognised for the creative ways our Early Years settings in Southend have been supporting young children’s transition.”

Tara Poore, Director of A Better Start Southend, says:

“This is a fantastic achievement for all those working to make Southend the very best place to have and raise a child. To be shortlisted for two awards is testament to the dedication and hard work of our partners, parents and staff.”

The winners of the Children and Young People Now awards 2022 will be announced on the 24^th November at The Hurlingham Club, Ranelagh Gardens, London, SW6 3PR. It is an evening to celebrate the projects, people and organisations across the UK that are striving day in, day out, to improve the lives of children and young people.

For more information about the Children and Young People Now awards 2022, please visit: www.cypnowawards.com/ceremony-2022