 The Lord Bishop of Oxford, the Right Reverend John Pritchard,
visited South Abingdon Children’s Centre on Tuesday 16 October.
He
did so as President of the family charity Parents And Children Together
(PACT) which is the managing agent of the Centre on behalf of
Oxfordshire County Council Children’s Services.
He spent almost
an hour talking to staff and families, learning how the charity is
addressing need in the area. He was welcomed by Yvette Gayford, Chief
Executive of PACT, and Malcolm Fearn, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Children Centre Development Manager, Edwina Pateman, said
that flexibility is key to making a difference to local families. “We
are constantly developing new ways of offering family support, most
recently with the launch of the Saturdads project where Dads and their
children can have a relaxing and fun time together at the weekend.
Abingdon Children’s Centre has also evolved considerable expertise in
support for teenage parents as well as providing drop-ins which, over
the course of a term, can cover anything from healthy eating to child
development and basic skills courses.”
The Bishop then traveled
to the headquarters of PACT in Reading, from which the charity "builds
and strengthens families" throughout Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and
Oxfordshire. He met staff and trustees and learnt the part the charity
plays in improving life chances across the region.
Further information is available from Liz Roberts 01235 83 42 95 or 07745 80 20. |
