- Administration & Support Services
- Breast Feeding
- Domestic Violence
- Early Years Education
- Family Support
- Health
- Management
- Parenting Services
Administration & Support Services
Elaine Short- Receptionist / Admin
I am the receptionist at Riverside Children's Centre. I've worked here for nearly 4 years and have been very happy. If you want to know anything about the Centre and what we do here please pop in or ring me. If I can't answer your questions I will do my best to find someone who can.
I also deal with room bookings at the centre.
Email Elaine Short
Sally Fox- Administration & Information Co-ordinator
I'm the Administration and Information Co-ordinator at Riverside Children's Centre. I started working for SureStart Canterbury In August 2003 at the very beginning and have seen many changes to the programme especially the transition to becoming a Children's Centre.
Before I started in my current role I studied Health Science at Christ Church University and went on to work for the Health Promotion Service and was part of the Smoking Cessation Team.
My role as Administrator and Information Co-ordinator is to provide administrative and office management support to the team, dealing with all family registrations, inputting monitoring information onto the e-start database, finance such as petty cash and dealing with invoices as well as keeping things organised and liaising with families and outside agencies.
Some of my key responsibilies are to raise awareness and uptake of SureStart Services through PR, marketing and Information Support, keeping families and professionals updated on current services and activities as well as maintaining the Riverside Children's Centre Website and producing the monthly newsletter.
Email Sally Fox
Nora Aldous - Breastfeeding Volunteer Co-ordinator
Lorraine Lucas- Domestic Violence Outreach Worker
I'm the centre's specialist domestic violence worker and I work with families who are or have experienced domestic violence and abuse.
I will help families identify the elements of power and control and the negative impact of this on them and their childrens lives and how it has or could affect children emotionally, developmentally and behaviourally.
The main objectives is for families to keep safe and I will undertake a risk assessment to identifty the level of risk the family are living with and to help develop strategies. Referrals can also be made via myself to other support services for specialist help, such the Rising sun Domestic Violence Project, who employ and manage my role, and also the Freedom Programme, which helps and supports female victims of domestic violence.
I trained as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor through CAADA, which is a Home Office approved programme and is also trained in working with perpetrators of domestic violence and can make referrals to specialist programmes for fathers and partners who wish to change their behaviour.
I carryout team and individual supervision to staff who may be working with families who are orthey feel may be exeriencing domestic violence and works with the team's health visiot on the Post Natal Depression Group.
I have also designed and deliver a 4 week course called the FeelGood Factor where group members have the opportunity to focus on their aspirations, develop positive ways to deal with life's stresses and enjoy a pampering session and to look at equality within their relationships.
Lorraine trained as a group therapist at the renouned Promis recovery Centre in Nonington kent and worked as an addiction counsellor for 8 years in both residential and community settings before joining the team at Riverside Children's Centre. Lorraine also specialised in Working with personality Disordered Clients and is experienced in working with dual diagnosis of substance misuse, mental health and domestic violence.
Email Lorraine Lucas
Lesley Ogle- Teacher I'm Lesley an experienced teacher who specialised in Early Years. I have worked in several schools teaching children in Nursery, Infants and Juniors. I also have experience of subject co-ordination and have worked as SENCO in a previous school.
I have recently achieved Early Years Professional Status.
In my role as teacher I work closely with Busy Bees Nursery and establish links with other Early Years settings in the locality. I also assist and support Busy Bees Nursery and provide training and guidance to nursery staff, playworkers and the Children's Centre team.
Email Lesley Ogle
Michelle Cole- Health Trainer I've been a Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor at The Riverside Children's Centre since 2006 and through my volunteering I have now the Riverside Children's Centre team as a Health Trainer. I'm employed by the NHS for 8 hours a week and use the centre as my base to work from.
In my role as a Health Trainer I aim to support people in the community who want to adopt a healthier lifestyle. I work using a client centred approach, supporting people in their decisions to change and I do this on a 1 to 1 basis. I can provide basic information on healthy eating, increasing physical activity, giving up smoking, improving mental health and well being, sexual health and responsible levels of drinking alcohol. I am also able to develop a personal behaviour change plan and provide support an encouragement when needed.
The Service is FREE and I may meet up each client up to 6 sessions. I'm available by appointment on Wednesdays between
9:30am - 2:30pm. Please call the Riverside Children's Centre on 01227 475550 or 0800 849 4000 for further information.
Mary Bullivant- Health Visitor
I am the Health Visitor for the Riverside Children's Centre. I have worked here for 6 years and feel it is a priviledge to be able to work in a Children's Centre.
My role includes training and co-ordinating Breastfeeding Peer Supporters, breastfeeding groups in the costal area; facilitating a Postnatal Depression Group and co-facilitating the Mend 2-4 course. I have also run healthy eating courses and do a Health Visitors clinic once a month during the Saturday Funtime group.
Local midwife Trish abd myself facilitate antenatal classes which include sessions around caring for yourselves and your new baby.
If you want to know more about the above activites or want to chat about any health concerns, please send me an email or come in and see me.
Email Mary Bullivant
Janine Hodges- Children's Centre Manager
I'm the Manager of Riverside Children's Centre and i'm employed by the Community Development Service at Canterbury City Council.
I have a varied working background. The first 10 years were spent in the voluntary sector as a welfare rights worker and as a manager of a team supporting single homeless people. I joined Canterbury City Council as a Housing Officer before moving into the Community Development Service.
In my role as Manager i'm responsible for leading and developing a multi-agency team of staff in delivering a range of integrated services such as access to health, parenting support and information about early years education and childcare.
Email Janine Hodges
Jennie Connolly- HomeStart Co-ordinator
I'm Jenny and I carry out visits to families who are registered with the Riverside Children's Centre. These families may have new babies or just moved to the area. I can chat to parents about any support that is available to them and their children. I will signpost them toother services if necessary, and recomend groups most suitable to their needs.
I will offer to accompany parents to groups to introduce them to co-workers and or other parents. I take relevant leaflets with information on keeping baby safe, details on the safety scheme run at the centre where parents can buy safety equipment at cost price, saving schemes, and any special events or courses which may be of interest to them. I will also talk to families about HomeStart, the voluntary organisation for children and families where I am based.
Lauren Newman - Outreach Worker
I'm Lauren and I'm an outreach worker for Riverside Children's Centre, I also work for HomeStart Children and Families charity in the Canterbury and Coastal area.
I have been working with children and families for over 4 years, since gaining my degree in Early Years and health Studies. While studying I also worked in a day nursery as a room leader for the toddler room.
My role as an outreach worker is very varied, which I really enjoy. It can be anything from registering a new family to the children's centre, letting them know what services are available to them, to offering more structured support in the home and helping to engage families with services which may be a benefit to them. I can also support families through the referral process. It is also part of my role to assit families to attending the Riverside family groups, I can even attend with them. I will do my best to offer families the most suitable advice I can.
Part of my role at Riverside is to engage parents with the 'Free for 2' scheme. THis is free childcare for selected two year olds. I can give support in the paperwork and finding a suitable nursery. I really enjoy my job and love meeting new families.
Carolyn Roberts- Outreach Worker
I have worked in Early Years for over 20 years, 10 of which I spent as a SEN teaching assistant working with children with additional needs.
My job as an Outreach Worker is to assist families by home visiting and running various parent and toddler groups in the local area. My role also includes helping families build upon their pareting skills and enabling them to confidently set boundaries.
I work closely with other agencies and will sign post or referr if there is a need.
If you want to know more or need help or advice with regards to any parenting issues please send me an email or come in and see me.
Nicky Burns- Community Involvement Worker
I'm Nicky and I am the Community Involvement worker.
I have 11 years experience in Early Years care and education and I have been an Outreach Worker for the past six years.
During those six years I have helped families to access services and support them through any parenting issues they may have.In my role as the Community Involvement Worker I support and manage volunteers, help parents to access cources and find future pathways to work/careers.
A large part of my job is to ensure families have a say in the services they use, this is either by parents attending our Operational Board meetings or through consultations such as Children's Centre Champions.
If you have any ideas or comments about the services we run here at the centre, or have anything you would like to ask me you can either contact me on 01227 475550 or email me.
Email Nicky Burns
Kirsty King - Outreach Worker
I'm Elaine and Iam the play worker at Riverside Children's Centre. My main responsibility is to supervise the Creche and to ensure each session is well planned and provided high quality activities for all children, in order to promote early learning and development.
My work is underpinned by the Early Years Foundation Stage and I also work closely with the teacher at Riverside.
I also keep records of children's learning and development through observations and through children's individual learning journeys.
I have a degree in early childhood studies with psychology and have worked in a wide range of early years settings before I started here at Riverside.
I really enjoy my job and love working for a Children's Centre.
