Shipley Young Mums

Tracey Denton and Nicola Pemberton are organisers of the new Shipley Young Mums home safety equipment scheme. The money will go towards safety equipment for young families in the area for the next three years. Eligible parents can buy goods at discounted prices. For example they can have a £20 fireguard for £3 and a £50 travel cot/play pen will cost £10. Tracey, who has a three-year-old son called Nathan, said: “People don’t think young mums are responsible but we are organising and taking on the full responsibility of this scheme to encourage people to keep their children safe. “Because we are mums ourselves, we know what kind of equipment people will need and there are a variety of styles of things like the fireguards for people with different tastes.” Fellow organiser Nicola, who has two daughters - three-year-old Xanthe and Calysta, nine months - said: “We also run a group for young mums and we are here to offer advice and share information. “Being a mum is hard work at any age but people seem to think because you’re young you aren’t as responsible as an older mum - that’s wrong.” She and Tracey would also like to hear from women who would be interested in taking part in the project. Pauline North, Healthy Communities Co-ordinator for Bradford Council, said the scheme was the result of a successful pilot project in Shipley in 1998. Young parents on low income and living in the BD18 or BD2 postcode areas will be eligible for vouchers to buy goods from participating Shipley shops. Families can find out more from their health visitor or community centre or the mums will be at Shipley Health Centre every Wednesday morning from 9am to 11am.