Latest news with #Bretton
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Peterborough hospital joins Micky Hazard's Legend on the Bench campaign
An NHS hospital has become one of the first to install benches as part of a campaign started by footballer Micky Hazard's national suicide prevention on the Bench was founded by the former Spurs and Chelsea player and it installs specially designed wooden benches in community locations promoting the message "someone is always listening" for people experiencing mental health City Hospital is installing five benches in safe spaces around its site in Bretton which are accessible to staff, patients and benches feature an LED light, and a QR code that can be scanned with a smartphone to access immediate support. The charity is the brainchild of the former midfielder and his sister Michelle, whose son Jay died by suicide in 2019 due to mental health first bench was unveiled in Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire in 2024 and, since then, more than 30 other benches have been donated by the charity for other QR code on the bench will direct users to a comprehensive reference list of professional support groups, complete with contact numbers, website links, and email this year, the charity approached North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Peterborough City Hospital, with a view to providing a a joint donation by the NWAFT's supporters and fundraising by the Peterborough Spurs Branch - four additional benches have been purchased and installed. Hazard, who also played for Swindon and Portsmouth, said: "Mental health challenges can change the lives of people forever, whether that be for the individual, their family or people around them. "Legend on the Bench is more than a memorial - it's a promise that no-one has to face their darkest moments alone."Trust chief executive officer Hannah Coffey said: "Legend on the Bench is a remarkable charity which in a short space of time has established itself among so many communities, offering a beacon of hope to those who need in-the-moment support." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Peterborough pre-school to close next month over financial issues
A group of parents have said they have been left in a "difficult position" after a pre-school announced it would close in one Pre-School in Bretton, Peterborough, have informed parents that it will shut on 22 June due to financial pre-school, which is run by Early Years Alliance, said the decision was "a direct result of the acute financial pressure created by the continued underfunding of the early years sector".Hayden Mills, whose toddler has been going to the childcare facility since April, said the announcement "sprung out of nowhere" adding that it was "unfair to parents and staff". "It is going to be such a struggle for parents... especially if both work," he added. 'Nightmare' The pre-school, which currently has 50 children, is located next to Eyrescroft Primary School, but is run April Ofsted rated the pre-school as good. One mum, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC the closure would be "a nightmare"."My younger one was supposed to start there in September. Other nurseries have long waiting lists so, I am actually panicking." Billie Jeffreys two-year-old child attends the pre-school."If you close one childcare setting then you are going to force more children to go to another setting which will lead to a rise in costs because they will need more staff to maintain the children ratio."It is just going to move the struggles from one child setting to another," she said. Another mum, who wanted to rename anonymous, said she was "gutted" by the closure."It is insane. If the pre-school shuts - my daughter might have to stay at home until she starts primary school next year." Currently children aged over nine months and under three receive 15 hours of government-funded childcare. This will increase to 30 hours from September, which is already offered to three and four-year-olds.A spokesperson for Yearly Years Alliance, said the financial challenges were "exacerbated" by recent national insurance changes and national minimum wage rises."We will do all we can to give them [the parents] the support they need throughout this process."Katy Cole, a Labour councillor and the cabinet member for children's services at Peterborough City Council, said parents were being encouraged to engage with the consultation process regarding the closure."The local authority has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient early years places and will work closely with the provider following the outcome of the consultation to ensure that this duty is fulfilled," she said. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
