Baby Week puts focus on the importance and the joy of a child’s early years

Baby Week puts focus on the importance and the joy of a child’s early years

Nigel Clarke.

Baby Week is on the horizon and Manchester City Council is hosting events across the city to celebrate and promote the importance of a child’s early life.

Free activities and events will be running for babies and their families where information and advice can be found, and to help shine a light on pregnancy and how to give a child the best start in life. 

The events are also for expectant parents, as Baby Week focuses on the life of a child from conception to their second birthday. 

This week comes during 2022 Our Year, a year of opportunity for all children and young people in Manchester following two years of repeated lockdowns, isolation and missed opportunities caused by the pandemic. 

It is vitally important that young people are at the heart of Council policy. The Manchester City Council Forecasting Model (MCCFM) estimates that there are around 22,000 0-2-year olds living in Manchester in 2021. It forecasts this will increase to around 25,050 by 2026. 

It is therefore essential that as a Council everything possible is done to give every child in the city a positive start to life, and to extend support to families who may struggle, especially during the early years, as well as helping to create a supportive network of parents which can be so beneficial for families as they start out. 

That is why the Council launched its Start Well Strategy, a strategy which aimed to address inequalities that some children can face from conception, and to promote the vision of a Manchester where all children can prosper.

Baby Week will kick off on Monday 11 July at the Manchester Art Gallery, and will run until Saturday 16 July. Stalls will be staffed by partner agencies who will be on hand to provide information to families across a range of topics. 

Families can also join in the fun with presenter Nigel Clarke who is hosting the BBC Tiny Happy People and BBC CBeebies The Baby Club Stay and Play on the launch day.  

All activities are free and will not be restricted to the city centre, with events planned to take place in cultural and leisure facilities across the city, as well as at local Sure Start centres. 

Visit ouryear.uk/baby-week to find out what is going on in your neighbourhood.

Councillor Garry Bridges, Executive Member for Children and Young People, said: “The pandemic had a huge impact on the lives of young people and their families which is why we felt it was so important to launch 2022 Our Year, and give as much support as we could to our city’s youngsters. 

“We know how important the first few years of a child’s life can be which is why we want to provide as much support and information to both prospective parents as well as to already established families. 

“I’d urge as many people to get involved with this week as I’m certain it will be jam-packed with fun, learning opportunities, and give every family the change to give their child the best start to life.” 

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