HENRY in Southend

HENRY is a charity and a partner of A Better Start Southend that provides free support to families to enable children to get off to the best start. HENRY provides this support via group or 1-to-1 programmes, both online and face-to-face, for expectant parents and families with children up to 4 years old living within the ABSS areas.

Our Programmes

Preparation for Parenthood (6-week antenatal support from 20 weeks)

Topics include: becoming a parent, a healthy pregnancy, bonding and caring for your baby, labour and birth, infant feeding and life after birth

The next six-week programmes are due to start on:

Monday 15th November 18:00-19:30 online

Monday 17th January 18:00-19:30 online

Tuesday 18th January 09:30-11:30 at Avenue Baptist Church

Wednesday 19th January 18:00-19:30 online

Healthy Families Online (8-week programme for parents with children 0-4yrs)

Topics include: healthy family behaviours, staying active, diet and nutrition and parental confidence

The next eight-week programmes are due to start on:

Monday 17th January 13:00-14:00 online

Tuesday 18th January 19:30-20:30 online

Healthy Families Face-to-face (8-week programme for parents with children 0-4yrs)

Topics include: healthy family behaviours, staying active, diet and nutrition and parental confidence

The next eight-week programmes are due to start on:

Monday 17th January 12:30-14:30 at Friar’s Family Centre

Wednesday 19th January 10:00-12:00 Cambridge Road Family Centre

Thursday 20th January 12:30-14:30 Centre Place Family Centre

We also have an upcoming 8-week group programme for families that speak Romanian starting January 18th 12:30-14:30 at Summercourt Family Centre. The programme will be supported by a Romanian interpreter from the local community and our toolkit resources are translated.

Hear from Maryam* who has used the HENRY programme to help make her family eat and become healthier:

Maryam* was worried about her daughter Riawere’s fussy eating. Her Health Visitor suggested that she join the Healthy Families programme.

She found having the programme provided in Urdu, her main language, a real help.

“I found all the translated resources 10 out of 10 as it was really easy to understand”.

Now Maryam says her whole family are enjoying healthier eating.  She’s managed to phase out sugary snacks and drinks, and comments:

“My daughter has improved in eating.”

Maryam has always felt confident in her parenting skills and was very open to picking up new tips and ideas. She feels the programme has also helped her establish a better sleeping routine for Riawere and discover different strategies for coping with toddler tantrums.

*Names have been changed to protect anonymity

Meet HENRY at the Hub

Join HENRY at a weekly drop-in session at the ABSS Parent, Family and Community Hub, on Tuesdays 12:30-14:30. These sessions give parents and children an opportunity to come together in a relaxed, child-friendly and safe environment without the need to book in advance. Whilst at the Hub, we may be able to support you with any challenges you are facing, from fussy eating, understanding our children’s behaviour and more.

How to get involved

To find out more please visit the HENRY website https://www.henry.org.uk/southendservice or complete our enquiry form at https://bit.ly/southendenquiry .

Families come in all shapes and sizes and our programmes aim to be inclusive to all.

Sessions are free to parents with children under four years old living in ABSS wards.

Check your eligibility by visiting www.abetterstartsouthend.co.uk/locations

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