The Young Ones celebrate

The Sandbrook Children's centre in Rochdale recently held a party to celebrate the achievements of a group of young parents.

The Young Ones is run by a group of young parents for others like themselves and meets once a week on a Monday afternoon. During their weekly meetings they have attended sessions on crafts, home safety, cooking and careers and future planning.

The party was attended by many of their young parents and the staff who support the group as well as Councillor Dale Mulgrew and Ben Collier of Link 4 Life who provided a dance mat session. Councillor Mulgrew presented the parents with certificates of achievement acknowledging the tremendous work they have done. The Young Ones plan on bringing 2010 in with a bang when they will start a decorating and home improvement course being organised and provided by Kirkholt Drop In Centre.

Speaking at the event Councillor Dale Mulgrew said, "The Young Ones provide a shining example to young parents across Rochdale and across the country. Too often young single parents must face personal barriers which leave them struggling to cope and to improve their lives and their children's lives themselves. The Young Ones have demonstrated how with hard work, dedication and sheer willpower these barriers can be overcome.

"By holding weekly meetings at a set time and location the single mothers involved are showing their commitment to the program and their desire to improve their lives. Moreover with the help and support of the staff members these women are making little steps to improve their lives and the lives of their children. It is absolutely vital that these sorts of schemes continue to flourish."