Free family fun this half term at Castle Batch

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The Castle Batch Children’s Centre and Family Hub in Worle is opening its doors this half term for a day packed with free activities and attractions. Everyone is invited to pop along and find out more on Wednesday 26 October between noon and 4pm.

Run by North Somerset Council, it is one of 11 children’s centres across North Somerset that provides early years health care and support services for families with children under five.

The centre at Castle Batch is one of three North Somerset children’s centres to recently also become a family hub. Family hubs offer a broad range of support to families, children and young people aged up to 19. They also cater for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged up to 25. The other family hub locations in North Somerset are in Clevedon and at the Carlton Centre in Weston-super-Mare.

Attractions at the open day include Somerset County Cricket Club (noon to 2pm), Bridgwater United Football Club women’s team (noon to 2pm), Worle Football Club (2pm to 4pm), North Somerset Violence Reduction Unit’s drugs bus and escape room (noon to 2pm), Avon Fire & Rescue with a fire engine, BookStart (2.30pm to 3.30pm), free bike security marking from Avon and Somerset Police, Better Health North Somerset's Smokefree team will be there to provide advice on how to quit smoking and create a smokefree home, drama and hula hoop dance workshops by Theatre Orchard, karaoke, giant garden games, arts and crafts, and a smoothie bike as well as other refreshments from local suppliers.

Weston-super-Mare Town Council will also be there to talk to people about planned improvements to its play area at Castle Batch. This follows a recent successful bid for matched funding from North Somerset Council’s Improving Play Spaces Fund.

Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council’s executive member for children’s services, said: "Children’s centres provide a lifeline to many families, helping them to overcome difficulties and build stronger relationships. It’s great to see the Castle Batch centre opening its doors and shouting about the positive work that they do. It’s so important that people know about what’s on offer, especially now that we’re able to support a wider age range as a family hub.

“Why not pop along on Wednesday the 26th to find out what the centre can offer you and your family. It certainly promises to be an action-packed fun-filled day.”

Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s executive member for safer communities, said: “I’m pleased to see the Violence Reduction Unit supporting this event, alongside our partners. It’s a great opportunity for us to engage with young people and families, to raise awareness and educate people. The early interventions team will be on hand to speak with people about their experiences and signpost them to support and opportunities to have their voices heard.”

More information about North Somerset’s children’s centres, including their locations, is available on the council’s website (www.n-somerset.gov.uk/childrenscentres). Keep up with the latest news on North Somerset Children's Centres Facebook and North Somerset Children's Centres Instagram.