About
Us
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Our Aims
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Our Staff
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In
1993, Janet Carr, head teacher of Derwendeg Primary School in
Caerphilly County Borough called together local professionals from
Health and Social Services, the local authority and voluntary agencies,
to discuss an initiative to help parents develop their parenting
skills. Janet said in a newspaper interview: “I know the struggles
of many families, emotionally and financially. A
lot of money is spent trying to put things right, but we are acting
before they develop, empowering mothers and fathers and improving
parenting skills. In a decade we will see a measurable difference.”
The
Health Service supported the Initiative and a Project Co-ordinator was
appointed in 1995. Health Innovation Zone monies
initially funded the Project and, for one year, it was part of the
Gwent NHS; when that funding came to an end, the Project was successful
in seeking charitable status. This enabled the
Right from the Start Parenting Programme (RFTS) to secure further
funding to continue the Project. Supported by a strong
multi-disciplinary management committee, the project has gone from
strength to strength.
Glan Hafren NHS Trust agreed to
demonstrate their commitment to the project by seconding one of their
Health Visitors to the programme on a part time basis to develop the
programme throughout the Rhymney
Valley. In February 2000 RFTS received
funding via the Caerphilly Sure Start initiative and a Co-ordinator was
appointed on a full time basis. The local Health Group and the
Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership for Caerphilly County
Borough also provided funding, which enabled the project to work
outside the Sure Start areas. The project has continued to grow
significantly since 2003 due to additional funding secured via the
Supporting People initiative and funding increases from The Local
Health Board and Cymorth (previously Sure Start). This has enabled the
RFTS team to grow thus providing a service to many more families.
