Teenage parents from across County Durham have completed a 20-week scheme to develop their life skills and help them into education, volunteering and employment.
Durham County Council’s One Point Service’s Teen Parent Support Programme began in January, with five months of sessions covering everything from self-esteem and sexual health to money management and job qualifications.
To celebrate their successful completion of the programme families were invited to a celebration event at Hardwick Park, near Sedgefield, where they received certificates and story packs, and followed the Gruffalo Trail together.
One Point Service manager Chris Peverall said: “These young parents have shown through their hard work and commitment that they want to develop the skills that will help them achieve their full potential.
“We will continue to offer them help and advice on the many day to day issues that come with bringing up children.
“And we will continue to work with them over the next year and a half in a bid to help them tackle the additional barriers to education and employment they often come up against.
“Many of these parent will have the opportunity to go on to further training programmes of apprenticeships”.
The Teen Parent Support Programme was coordinated by the One Point Service with support from Durham County Council’s public health and regeneration team. It took place across seven locations in County Durham, with 33 young parents and their children recognised at the Hardwick Park awards ceremony.
For more information about the Teen Parent Support Programme call the One Point Support Programme call the One Point Service on 03000 261111.