FAMILIES in Blaenau Ffestiniog have been celebrating the 10th anniversary of a family support service in the town.

Caban Bach was set up in Blaenau by Barnardo’s Cymru 10 years ago to provide support for families ranging from parenting classes to housing advice, as well as running the town’s only nursery provision.

A special celebration was held with a range of events including a Big Toddle sponsored walk and a visit by a fire engine and characters Beep and Tani Tân from Blaenau Ffestiniog fire station.

Caban Bach is based in the town’s old library which was renovated into the family centre and opened in 2007 following European funding. That came after a small support team was set up in 2000 to establish what services families in the town wanted and needed.

Llinos Rowlands, the children’s services manager for Barnardo’s Cymru, said: “We appreciate that bringing up children is both challenging and very rewarding.

“During the last 10 years we have given young children the opportunity to learn, develop and socialise; preparing them to learn skills for life. Dads, mums and families have learnt new skills and received information and support from the team at Caban Bach and each other which has given them confidence to build stronger families.”

Caban Bach also now hosts the Flying Start programme launched by the Welsh Government aimed at providing support for youngsters under the age of three and helping to prepare them for school.

It currently helps around 80 families in the town with 71 children attending the nursery.

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