Young Wigan mums struggling to balance time spent caring for their kids with socialising have been given a new lease of life thanks to an innovative scheme.
Set up by Wigan Council and Golborne Sure Start Centre, the weekly mums and tots meetings offer the chance to mingle with other young mums and receive guidance and support.
And 19-year-old mother of two Amy Lacy, from Golborne, was quick to see the benefits of attending the weekly gathering.
“Coming here really has given me a new lease of life,” she said.
“My advice to any girl who is in the same situation as I was is to find out what’s out there and get involved, it could be the best thing you ever do.”
Amy explained how caring for two-year-old Kylan and nine-month-old Lacie-May often left her isolated and rarely able to leave her own house.
However, having started attending the gatherings at the Sure Start Centre seven months ago she is now looking to get back into education and hopes to study forensics at university.
The group meets every Wednesday after Wigan Council Gateway Activity Locality 4 (Leigh, Lowton, Golborne) workers Jacqui Foster and Kath Thompson teamed up with centre manager Claire Farrimond.
After doorstepping young mums to discover what support they could offer, the weekly meetings were set up and skills-teaching arranged, such as pottery and other crafts.
Ms Thompson explained: “We know that it is all too easy for girls who become parents to become isolated and lose touch with their community.”
Emily Pickering, an 18-year-old mum of two, said the group have also visited places such as Chester Zoo – something she would have been unable to do otherwise.
She added: “Wednesdays are definitely something we all look forward to now.”
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