Learn and discover the value of self-care and how important and beneficial this is for parents’ well-being. Get ideas and resources to take home to be able to implement self-care at home.
There will be a crèche provided so your little one will be looked after whilst you can sit back, meet other families, engage in conversation, and enjoy a hot drink and a biscuit!

Address:

29-31 Alexandra Street Southend-on-Sea SS1 1BW

Join us for a group that provides a wonderful opportunity for children to
explore and investigate the three main areas of development:
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
Do you want to develop your knowledge of children’s
development, understand more about the importance
of play and find out more about activities you can do at
home to support your child’s development?

Address:

Hamstel Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS2 4PQ

Share the joy of planting, creative play and being outdoors with your children and other families!

Families can drop into the community gardens in Westcliff and Shoebury, and spend some much needed quality family time harvesting vegetables, cooking with the home grown ingredients, caring for the animals and even taking part in storytelling and crafting activities!

Drop in and enjoy family time at ‘Families Growing Together’ with plenty of activities available both in the gardens and online. The free sessions are available to local families with children 0-4 that live in A Better Start Southend areas.

Self referrals and professional referrals are accepted.

Address:

254 Elm Rd, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea SS3 9RY

Drop-in playgroup session. The YourFamily team are on hand to provide information or help with family issues.

All welcome, no booking is required.

Address:

ABSS Parent Community Hub, 29-31 Alexandra St, SS1 1BW

You are welcome to join Bump to Breast at any of our friendly weekly groups for a cuppa, a chat and to ask any breastfeeding related questions. No booking is required, and older siblings are welcome too. We often have other events, cafe meet-ups etc, so check our social media pages for up to date information.

Find us on our Facebook page, Bump to Breast - ABSS Breastfeeding Group Support, with lots of helpful information, and we are on Instagram as @bumptobreastsouthend. You are welcome to message us on either Facebook or Instagram, and we will respond, or email eleanorking@southendymca.org.uk.

Our groups and events are all located in ABSS areas, and our project is targeted at families living in ABSS wards - however, we do not turn away anyone in need of support, and people living out of area are also welcome.

Address:

YMCA Eco Hub, 2a St John’s Road, SS0 7JZ

A six-week group course to boost mental wellbeing. Delivered by Specialist Health Visitors for Perinatal Health.

To book your place, contact Ros Shackleton rosshackleton@nhs.net 07866 609752

Address:

ABSS Parent Community Hub, 29-31 Alexandra St, SS1 1BW

You are welcome to join Bump to Breast at any of our friendly weekly groups for a cuppa, a chat and to ask any breastfeeding related questions. No booking is required, and older siblings are welcome too. We often have other events, cafe meet-ups etc, so check our social media pages for up to date information.

Find us on our Facebook page, Bump to Breast - ABSS Breastfeeding Group Support, with lots of helpful information, and we are on Instagram as @bumptobreastsouthend. You are welcome to message us on either Facebook or Instagram, and we will respond, or email eleanorking@southendymca.org.uk.

Our groups and events are all located in ABSS areas, and our project is targeted at families living in ABSS wards - however, we do not turn away anyone in need of support, and people living out of area are also welcome.

Address:

ABSS Community Hub at SAVS on Alexandra Street, SS1 1BW

Twinkle's playroom! Chaos and Calm weekly drop-in session for children with a disability under the age of two.

All welcome.

Address:

ABSS Parent Community Hub, 29-31 Alexandra St, SS1 1BW

The HENRY programme is completely FREE to join for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 4 years old who live in one of the A Better Start Southend wards.

The programme provides everything you need to help your little one get off to a great start.

We cover the 5 following themes across 8 weeks:

- Feeling more confident as a parent
- Physical activities for the little ones
- What children and the whole family eat
- Family lifestyle habits
- Enjoying life as a family

ABSS Ward families only

You are welcome to join Bump to Breast at any of our friendly weekly groups for a cuppa, a chat and to ask any breastfeeding related questions. No booking is required, and older siblings are welcome too. We often have other events, cafe meet-ups etc, so check our social media pages for up to date information.

Find us on our Facebook page, Bump to Breast - ABSS Breastfeeding Group Support, with lots of helpful information, and we are on Instagram as @bumptobreastsouthend. You are welcome to message us on either Facebook or Instagram, and we will respond, or email eleanorking@southendymca.org.uk.

Our groups and events are all located in ABSS areas, and our project is targeted at families living in ABSS wards - however, we do not turn away anyone in need of support, and people living out of area are also welcome.

Address:

St Mark’s Church on the corner of Hamlet Road and Princes Street, SS1 1QA

You are welcome to join Bump to Breast at any of our friendly weekly groups for a cuppa, a chat and to ask any breastfeeding related questions. No booking is required, and older siblings are welcome too. We often have other events, cafe meet-ups etc, so check our social media pages for up to date information.

Find us on our Facebook page, Bump to Breast - ABSS Breastfeeding Group Support, with lots of helpful information, and we are on Instagram as @bumptobreastsouthend. You are welcome to message us on either Facebook or Instagram, and we will respond, or email eleanorking@southendymca.org.uk.

Our groups and events are all located in ABSS areas, and our project is targeted at families living in ABSS wards - however, we do not turn away anyone in need of support, and people living out of area are also welcome.

Address:

Trust Links Growing Together Community Gardens on Elm Road in Shoebury SS3 9RY

Join us for a walk along the beautiful Cliff Gardens and back again - weather permitting! we'll wait outside the Cliffs Pavilion Theatre between 10-10.20am, and then set off on the walk.

The HENRY programme is completely FREE to join for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 4 years old who live in one of the A Better Start Southend wards.

The programme provides everything you need to help your little one get off to a great start.

We cover the 5 following themes across 8 weeks:

- Feeling more confident as a parent
- Physical activities for the little ones
- What children and the whole family eat
- Family lifestyle habits
- Enjoying life as a family

ABSS Ward families only

Address:

40-42 Cambridge Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1EB

Making music with your baby is a great way to help develop their brain and language skills, as well as offering a unique and fun bonding experience for you and your little one.

A Better Start Southend has teamed up with the Southend YMCA and local mums and dads to deliver Umbilical Chords; a weekly term-time music group for children aged 0-2 years of age within A Better Start Southend wards.

Come along with your baby and make some memories at our exciting music sessions! Our groups are led by a qualified Early Years Practitioner and a Music Tutor, and you don’t need to have any previous knowledge or experience of music to get involved.

Address:

Southend YMCA Eco Hub, 2A St John's Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend, SS0 7JZ

Are you a single or solo parent? Join us for a chat and some support from fellow parents in the same boat.

Weekly drop-in support group and playgroup session for solo parents provided by Cake Club.

All welcome from ABSS wards.

Address:

Pip's Playroom, 29-31 Alexandra St, SS1 1BW

Chaos and Calm weekly drop-in session for children with a disability under the age of two.

Book your place contact Hannah Davies admin@chaosandcalm.org

Address:

ABSS Parent Community Hub, 29-31 Alexandra St, SS1 1BW

You are welcome to join Bump to Breast at any of our friendly weekly groups for a cuppa, a chat and to ask any breastfeeding related questions. No booking is required, and older siblings are welcome too. We often have other events, cafe meet-ups etc, so check our social media pages for up to date information.

Find us on our Facebook page, Bump to Breast - ABSS Breastfeeding Group Support, with lots of helpful information, and we are on Instagram as @bumptobreastsouthend. You are welcome to message us on either Facebook or Instagram, and we will respond, or email eleanorking@southendymca.org.uk.

Our groups and events are all located in ABSS areas, and our project is targeted at families living in ABSS wards - however, we do not turn away anyone in need of support, and people living out of area are also welcome.

Address:

Plaza Centre on Southchurch Road (round the side in ‘The Living Room’) SS1 2PT

The HENRY programme is completely FREE to join for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 4 years old who live in one of the A Better Start Southend wards.

The programme provides everything you need to help your little one get off to a great start.

We cover the 5 following themes across 8 weeks:

- Feeling more confident as a parent
- Physical activities for the little ones
- What children and the whole family eat
- Family lifestyle habits
- Enjoying life as a family

ABSS Ward families only

Creche available

Address:

Prospect Cl, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2JD

Share the joy of planting, creative play and being outdoors with your children and other families!

Families can drop into the community gardens in Westcliff and Shoebury, and spend some much needed quality family time harvesting vegetables, cooking with the home grown ingredients, caring for the animals and even taking part in storytelling and crafting activities!

Drop in and enjoy family time at ‘Families Growing Together’ with plenty of activities available both in the gardens and online. The free sessions are available to local families with children 0-4 that live in A Better Start Southend areas.

Self referrals and professional referrals are accepted.

Address:

Growing Together Westcliff, 47 Fairfax Drive, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 9AG

Having healthy teeth is important for young children’s development and wellbeing.
But did you know that decay in first teeth can affect their adult teeth?
This session will help you understand:

- Everything you need to know about toothbrushing
- How you can make toothbrushing fun
- When to start helping children brush their own teeth
- How what children eat and drink affect their teeth

ABSS Ward families only.

Feel free to bring your children along

Interested in a career in Nursing or Midwifery? This taster session will help you to find out whether or not nursing or midwifery is for you and explore the different qualifying routes into the professions.

This event is for ABSS ward families only.

Please email workskills@southend.gov.uk or telephone 07341793147 to book your place!

A creche will be available.

Join us for a warm drink and enjoy having a catch-up with friends old and new. We will be on hand to entertain your little ones, giving you time to chat with other parents and peruse the Southend Storysacks library.

For further information call of WhatsApp Michelle on 07985239376

Every 3rd Wednesday of the month 10:00.

Address:

151 West Road, Shoeburyness, SS3 9EF

Join us for a warm drink and enjoy having a catch-up with friends old and new. We will be on hand to entertain your little ones, giving you time to chat with other parents and peruse the Southend Storysacks library.

For further information call of WhatsApp Michelle on 07985239376

Every 4th Saturday of the month 10:30

Address:

138-140 Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff on sea, Essex, SS0 7LW

Feel more confident to help your child if they get into trouble.

This event is for ABSS ward families only.

Please email workskills@southend.gov.uk or telephone 07341793147 to book your place!

A creche will be available.

Address:

Church Road Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2AL

Monthly coffee morning sessions for support for families whose child is on the multidisciplinary waiting list or has a recent diagnosis related to concerns around communication, interaction and/or imaginative play.

For families living in ABSS wards. To book your place, contact laura.pullum@eyalliance.org.uk or phone 07957 018788.

Address:

ABSS Parent Community Hub, 29-31 Alexandra St, SS1 1BW

Join us for a warm drink and enjoy having a catch-up with friends old and new. We will be on hand to entertain your little ones, giving you time to chat with other parents and peruse the Southend Storysacks library.

For further information call of WhatsApp Michelle on 07985239376

Every 1st Wednesday of the month 13:00.

Address:

ABSS Parent Community Hub, 29-31 Alexandra St, SS1 1BW

Join us for a warm drink and enjoy having a catch-up with friends old and new. We will be on hand to entertain your little ones, giving you time to chat with other parents and peruse the Southend Storysacks library.

For further information call of WhatsApp Michelle on 07985239376

Every 2nd Tuesday of the month 10:00.

Address:

Plaza Centre on Southchurch Road (round the side in ‘The Living Room’) SS1 2PT

A Work Skills event to support the process of job searching and filling in application forms.

There will be a job Search presentation, which will help with where to find the right job, basics for application forms, and personal statements.

This event is for ABSS ward families only.

Please email workskills@southend.gov.uk or telephone 07341793147 to book your place!

A creche will be available.

Address:

Church Road Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2AL

The HENRY programme is completely FREE to join for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 4 years old who live in one of the A Better Start Southend wards.

The programme provides everything you need to help your little one get off to a great start.

We cover the 5 following themes across 8 weeks:

- Feeling more confident as a parent
- Physical activities for the little ones
- What children and the whole family eat
- Family lifestyle habits
- Enjoying life as a family

Address:

Constable Way, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea, SS3 9XX

The HENRY programme is completely FREE to join for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 4 years old who live in one of the A Better Start Southend wards.

The programme provides everything you need to help your little one get off to a great start.

We cover the 5 following themes across 8 weeks:
- Feeling more confident as a parent
- Physical activities for the little ones
- What children and the whole family eat
- Family lifestyle habits
- Enjoying life as a family

Address:

Summercourt Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7AU

As parents we want our children to eat well – and to enjoy mealtimes together.

Join us and get support and new ideas for:

- How to encourage your child to try new foods - and begin to enjoy them!

- Child-friendly foods that provide what they need to grow and be healthy

- Happier family mealtimes

Address:

29-31 Alexandra St, SS1 1BW

As parents we want our children to eat well – and to enjoy mealtimes together.

Join us and get support and new ideas for:

- How to encourage your child to try new foods - and begin to enjoy them!

- Child-friendly foods that provide what they need to grow and be healthy

- Happier family mealtimes

Address:

29-31 Alexandra St, SS1 1BW

This workshop helps to build parents and carers’ understanding of the effect of feelings on behaviour and the link between feelings and needs, to increase their understanding of the importance of listening to children and develop their knowledge of empathy.

Address:

29-31 Alexandra St, SS1 1BW

A workshop focussing on the importance of oral health for children, how parents can have a positive impact on their children's teeth development.

Address:

29-31 Alexandra St, SS1 1BW