THE first designated children's centre in the New Forest has opened to provide family services for everyone from babies to teens.
The Forest First Children's Centre, formerly the Blackfield and Calshot SureStart project, will pull together a range of services tailor-made for the Waterside community.
Among other things, it will offer guidance to teenagers, drop-in job advice, a nursery, visiting health clinic, parenting workshops, a monthly housing surgery, and Internet access for all.
The centre was opened by programme development co-ordinator Tracey Currie and South Waterside Hampshire County Councillor Lee Dunsdon.
Councillor Dunsdon said: "This is a brilliant day for young people in Blackfield and Calshot. This is the first children's centre in the New Forest. It's great to see all the children's agencies, such as Connexions and the Forest Bus, working with health services, pulling together to provide a complete package for children from birth to late teens."
Ms Currie added: "We have exciting plans for the future of the Forest First Children's Centre. The centre is open to the whole community."
The centre, in Heather Road, Blackfield, was heavily funded by Totton College.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article