Waterside Sure Start: Full circle for Sure Start's groundbreaking mother and son

Friday's official opening ceremony at Action for Children Waterside Sure Start was extra special for one proud mammy as she watched her son carry out the official opening alongside the mayor.

Michelle Heath's son, Adam Brolly, was asked to cut the ribbon in honour of the fact he was one of the first children to use the Waterside Sure Start service when it started up 16 years ago.

The Foyle College pupil took time out between sitting two GSCE exams - geography and history - to play his part in the ceremony, which mum Michelle described as 'a lovely moment'.

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She added: “It's funny, too, seeing him now and he's not a child anymore. I have four children and Adam is my firstborn. Me and him are very close.

“I was an anxious mammy - still am - and I was breastfeeding and feeling a wee bit lost, you know, with him being my first, and so the health visitor recommended I come here.

“I'll never forget that first day. I was so nervous. But from the minute I walked through the door, it felt great to have that support. It really did help me when times were tough for me.

“The staff were all so supportive. There were some difficult times, but I came through it and now they're all up and all doing well.”

And Michelle felt so at home there that she joined the Sure Start team 11 years ago, working as an early years supervisor.

“When you've been in that situation of being a single parent or whatever, it's really really hard. But coming here at the start, and now working here, it's been so beneficial.

“All the services based here are great and they support so many families. It could be single parents, or people struggling with money, or mothers who are breastfeeding; loads of different things.

“We do lots of family parenting groups as well and you can see today, the different families that are involved in our two-year-old programme.

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“I'm running the 'little explorers' group at the minute. That's for children with additional needs and we have five children in that, and it's just lovely to have that one-on-one time and obviously we build up a really good relationship with the parents.

“Getting the parents in is half the battle; once you get that relationship built up, you can really see the benefits.

“The parents and children and staff, we're like a whole family. I feel so proud to work here - I'll never leave!”