Hello and welcome to the latest Family Information Service newsletter. Our job is to give you the info and resources you need to help your family life run a little smoother. We can help with:

Childcare – finding it and advice on paying for it
Local baby and toddler groups
Events, clubs, activities, and fun things to do in the school holidays, for all ages
Getting parenting and family support
Finding health and wellbeing support

We cover everything and anything to do with family life, so if you have a question, chances are we’ll be able to help, or if we can’t, we’ll point you in the direction of someone who can. Find us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Call 01743 254400 or email ShropshireFIS@shropshire.gov.uk

Bond with your baby over books

Playtime with Books is a new, free programme in Shropshire, supporting parents to explore books with their 10-24 month old children in a fun and playful way!

What’s on offer

Five online learning sessions that you can watch when it suits you
Four free books to keep, sent to your home
Three one to one video calls with a facilitator, who can support you throughout

What do other parents think?

“Amazing. For me and for my little one. We grew and we learned a lot together whilst on the programme” Mum of 2 year old

“This program has really helped us learn to enjoy books together on a deeper level. We feel more connected!” Dad of 2 year old

“It helped me to build on the good techniques I was already trying and gave me some new ideas about how to share books with my child” Mum of 1 year old

Sign up here

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Feel confident with Family Foundations

There is so much to prepare for when you are expecting a baby. One area that sometimes get overlooked, is how a baby will affect your relationship with your partner. Our new Family Foundations Course, which is free for Shropshire residents, will give you and your partner the skills and confidence you need to create the best family possible for your little one.

With sessions held before and after the arrival of your baby, the course will help you support each other through the big changes ahead. To book on to a Family Foundations course near you, please speak to your midwife.

Find out more

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Apply now for September

If you are a working parent with a child who will be between 9 months and 3 years old on 31 August 2024, you can apply now for 15 hours funded childcare per week to start in September 2024.

We recommend applying as early as you can so that you get the code you need for the free hours ready for September.

If you are not sure what you are entitled to, the childcare choices website has a quick eligibility checker, which makes it easy to find out what you can get, and includes details on how to apply.

Find out more

Does your child help to look after someone?

Does your child help look after someone at home who is ill, or has a mental or physical disability? They may do things like:

Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework, shopping and family budgeting
Emotional support, such as talking to someone who is distressed
Personal care, such as helping someone out of bed with a hoist and to help them to dress
Helping with siblings
Helping to give medicine, collecting prescriptions

If so, they are a young carer. Shropshire Young Carers offer support to young carers in Shropshire, through groups, fun activities and day trips, plus one to one support. They give children a break from caring responsibilities and the chance to meet other young carers.

Find out more

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Free support to make the most of digital technology

Are you struggling to keep up with your kids when it comes to tech? You may be eligible for free support through the Shropshire Digital Skills Programme.

If you are any of the following, then you could get one-to-one support from a tech savvy volunteer.

Live alone
Receive a means-tested benefit or on a low income
Provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who can’t manage without your help
Receive paid or unpaid care
Have a disability or health condition
Are over 65 years old

Digital support takes place in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, with volunteers offering support in a friendly, welcoming, and supportive space. As well as one-to-one support, the programme also has a limited number of free devices and free connectivity to the internet for participants unable to afford their own.

Click the button below to find a venue offering support near you.

Find out more

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Launch into Veg – free course

We all know that vegetables are important. Every parent wants the best for their children, and to give them the best start to a healthy life. But raising healthy kids is hard, even harder if you are short of time, feeling the squeeze of the cost of living, or facing other challenges. Half of parents say they struggle to get their kids to eat vegetables. Simply Veg is here to help.

Do your kids eat little or no veg? Does getting them to try new veg feel like a never-ending battle? Launch into Veg is a new free online programme specifically designed to help parents whose children eat little or no veg. The 7 simple steps will help your child eat one more veg by the end of the course.

Find out more

Worried that more than football is about to kick-off?

The UEFA EURO 2024 championship kicked off last weekend. Whilst football itself is not the cause of domestic abuse, research shows that rates of domestic abuse increase during football championships.

Did you know Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service run drop-in sessions right across the county to help make their service accessible to all. They are open to anyone over 16 who needs information, support or advice about domestic abuse, and would like to talk to someone face-to-face. No appointment is necessary. If you are attending a session at a busy venue, such as a food bank, just ask for Sadie.

Find out more

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