Meet the Team

	Caroline Burnell Hi! I’m Caroline Burnell, and I am the administrator for Preston East Children’s Centre. I have a wide range of duties, so every day is different. These include looking after all the finances and budget for the programme, typing reports and minutes and overseeing the monitoring and statistics. However, the favourite part of my job is giving information to parents on the phone and visiting some of the groups … when I have chance to escape!
	Jess Holroyd Hi, I’m Jess Holroyd. I have been at Preston East children’s Centre since September 2005. I originally started as a Nursery Nurse working within the community helping with parent and child groups and creches. Recently, my title and job has changed and I am now a Children's Centre Outreach worker. This role entails working with families providing one to one support within homes or groups. In addition to this, I facilitate the Parenting group – Incredible Years Webster Stratton, which I really enjoy. If you would like any information on Family Support or Webster Stratton, please give me a call on 01772 790 817.
	Anis Faruki My name is Anis Faruki and I have been seconded from Preston Muslim Forum as a Community Development Worker. I started in June and I am keen to work closely with the rest of the team to develop services for families. In my previous role as a Community Development Officer I worked on a variety of community based projects such as capacity building, health, volunteer development, Information, Advice and Guidance on education, training and employment, Mentoring, Youth Activities and so on. Some of my immediate priorities are encouraging dads to engage in positive activities, providing information, advice and referral services from Preston Muslim Forum to the families who are entitled to access Sure Start services and assisting existing groups to become self sustained. Importantly I intend to have lots of fun as well.
	Chris Jackson I’m Chris Jackson and I work part time as an admin assistant. I have worked in admin for many years, often in childcare settings, so I’m quite familiar with enquiries from parents. If you phone we will do everything we can to answer your query or put you in touch with someone who can. Better still, call in and discover what great facilities and activities are available to you.
	Nicola Flintham My name is Nicola, i started here at Preston East Children's Centre in October 2007, part time to cover Chris whilst on holiday and enjoyed it so much decided to stay. I am envolved in the admin and finance side helping Caroline and Chris. I also cover reception when needed. Its a very warm and friendly atmosphere here at the centre so some down and see us soon!
	Christine Nuttall My name is Christine Nuttall and I am the Community Development Team Leader. I have worked with Preston East Children’s Centre for over three years, originally as the Grandparenting Co-ordinator. I work closely with the rest of the team to develop services for families in Preston East and help to develop new initiatives. We are very fortunate to be able to work so closely with our families and to see them take advantage of new opportunites which hopefully make a difference to their lives. Finally I must mention our Men’s group who meet at the Children’s Centre every other Saturday. The group is open to dads, grandads, step dad’s, other male carer’s and their children. It is a pleasure to be involved with this group, the people who attend are very friendly, they make new members welcome. It is great to see the the dads and children enjoying quality time together and sharing the fun that is often only experienced by Mums.
	Sandra Simpson Hi, I am Sandra Simpson and I am the Acting Programme Manager for the centre. Most of my time is office based working behind the scenes supporting staff and linking with partner agencies to provide services that meet the needs of families and the community. Our services are varied as are the venues from which we deliver them. Come along to the centre or any of our groups and I can assure you will be made most welcome. We have many enthusiastic parents/carers who show an interest in their child’s welfare and education. By working together we can make a difference and give our children the best possible start in life. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
	Joanne Kayley Hi, I am Joanne. I started at Preston East Children’s Centre in August 2005 as a Nursery Nurse out and about in the Brookfield, Deepdale and Holmeslack areas running and supporting parent and child groups, book lending libraries, crèches and supporting our local childminders. I have enjoyed working out in the community, meeting families and in September 2006 my role changed to Children’s Centre Outreach worker which involves supporting families on a one to one basis either in their homes or in our groups. I am soon to be involved with the parenting skills and Chatterbox parenting courses. If you require any further information on childminding, groups, family support or parenting courses do not hesitate to contact me or call into the centre to have a look around and a chat.
	Gemma Taylor Hi my name is Gemma Taylor. I am part of the Outreach team at Preston East Children's Centre, providing one to one support for families either in the home or in our groups. I also facilitate the Baby Club group on a Thursday Morning here at the Centre. It is a fun, knowledgable group and is available to all mum's/parent's If you are interested or would like to know more do not hesitate to contact me on 01772 790810
	Pamela Kelly Hi, my name is Pamela Kelly and I am the Clerical Officer for Preston East Children’s Centre and you can find me on the Reception desk so I am involved with many aspects of the programme. I started working at the centre in August 2007 and have enjoyed every minute. My role includes welcoming all visitors into the centre and signposting questions or concerns to appropriate team members. In addition to this, I help to promote the activities, events and groups with posters and flyers that I create along with general administrative duties.
	Julie Cook Hi, I'm Julie. I have worked at the Children's Centre as a Nursery Nurse since January 2007. My role is helping with parent and child groups and creches within Preston East Children's Centre. I previously worked for Preston Childsplay from 2002-2007 doing mobile creches, toddler groups and playgroups. My last post prior to joining Sure Start was playgroup supervisor for the Jumpstart Playgroup here at Preston East Children's Centre.
	Margaret Ainsworth Hi, my name is Margaret Ainsworth. I started working at the centre in November 2006. My role is the Grandparenting/Volunteer Co-Ordinator, working between Age Concern Preston and South Ribble and Preston East Children’s Centre. My role is to recruit and induct new volunteers and offer continuing support and also to support the Grandparenting matters group.
	Ravina Singh Hi, I'm Ravina. I have been a Nursery Nurse here at Preston East Children's Centre since April 2007. My role is to provide a creche to children whose parents are undertaking training courses or attending sessions within the Centre. I also support Parent and Child Groups and help them to plan events and activities, You can usually find me at the Dad's Group alternate at the Hammara Centre. As a professional Nursery Nurse, I try to build good relationships between parents and myself. I work well within the team to provide the best possible service to all parents and other professionals.
	Kathryn Bastow My name is Kathryn Bastow; I am a teacher at the Children’s Centre. I started here in January 2007. Previously I worked at a Primary school in Blackpool, teaching in the Reception and Nursery classes. My role at the Children’s Centre is to support children and their families with all aspects of their learning. I will be working with the groups that run at the Children’s Centre and those in the community. I will also be working closely with the Rainbow nursery (here at the Children’s Centre) and the local nurseries and reception classes in the Brookfield, Holmeslack and Deepdale areas. I am the named Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) for the Children’s Centre and will be available to offer advice and support to anyone who has concerns or worries about their child’s learning/development. I am really pleased to be working at Preston East Children’s Centre and look forward to getting you know you all.
	Julie Hall Hello my name is Julie Hall and I am the Senior Childcare Practitioner at the Children’s Centre. I assist the teacher (Kathryn Bastow) with the development of high quality Early Years education and childcare provision throughout the Preston East area. One aspect of my role is to widen learning opportunities for children and their families. So far I have established a successful lending library service into some of our parent and child groups, which is proving very popular. I have introduced Fitness Fun Bags to the groups and many parents have enjoyed using them, with their children, at home. I have also helped to organise musical events such as Kindermusik and Mini-Mozart. I really enjoy working at the Children’s Centre, and aim to provide the best possible service to all our parents and children.
	Lisa Butterworth Hello, I'm Lisa and I'm the Counsellor here at Preston East Childrne's Centre. The Counselling Service offers you the opportunity to have a chat with somebody in a safe, confidential environment to talk about any issues or worries you may have. We set up the service last year and many people have found it really beneficial to get away from the every day pressures and concerns that we all suffer from time to time. I love working at the Children's Centre and really believe in the benefits that counselling provides. If you would like to find out more please contact the Children's Centre directly.
	Fay Turnbridge Hi. I'm Fay Turnbridge and I am a counsellor at Preston East Children's Centre. I am fully qualified and offer individuals short term or long term counselling. There are times in most of our lives when we experience distressing events and feelings which seem to have no end or solution in sight. Sometimes we know that our feelings are due to a particular circumstance, other times we may have no idea what is making us feel the way that we do. Counselling is an opportunity to explore how you feel and help make sense of your concerns as well as supporting you through a difficult period of your life. I aim to offer a warm, respectful and genuine relationship to all my clients. If you would like any further information on counselling or would like to make an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact me.