Waterloo forum to link parents and providers

The new forum was launched last week at Coin Street Family & Children's Centre followed by a celebratory flight on the London Eye.

Parents have been active participants in developing the Waterloo-wide strategy and consultation forum, which will help fashion services to meet the needs of local young children and parents.

The launch was attended by more than 40 families representing 12 local organisations from both Lambeth and Southwark providing nursery places, out-of-school clubs and playgroups.

"Waterloo missed out on Sure Start," explains Julie Reynolds, family outreach worker at Waterloo Community Development Group.

"Instead the WCDG's Parents' and Providers' Forum will give parents in Waterloo the same kind of voice and will link up the local community, service providers and the national cultural institutions in the area such as the South Bank Centre.

"By working together we can remove the barriers that prevent people from using services and create positive change for all."

The forum ties in with the Government's national childcare strategy, which requires service providers to involve parents in meaningful consultation and participation in decision-making.

• WCDG publishes a regular Parents & Providers newsletter with details of all kinds of activities for families and young children in Waterloo; details from Julie on 020 7633 9291 or email [email protected]