THE Monmouthshire Flying Start initiative celebrated its tenth birthday with a series of teddy bear picnics.

The Welsh Government project, aimed at giving children up to three years old and their parents support, celebrated the birthday with several teddy bear picnics across Monmouthshire.

All four Flying Start Centres, Abergavenny, Overmonnow, Caldicot and Chepstow hosted a picnic for children, parents and carers who have accessed the programme over the 10 years in Monmouthshire.

The government initiative began in Monmouthshire in 2006, with the first centres in north Abergavenny and the Overmonnow area of Monmouth but expanded to include parts of Caldicot and Chepstow.

Parents and carers can access a range of services including intensive health visiting, parenting and early language support at the initiative.

The idea for the teddy bear picnics came from the Flying Start team who wanted to celebrate 10 years of the programme in a fun and family friendly way.

Flying Start manager, Beth Watkins, said: “We felt that after providing support to families, it was time for a celebration and this also provided us with an opportunity to meet up with parents and children who accessed services from 10 years ago.

“It’s lovely to see how they have grown and development and it’s been fantastic to see how parents have developed too. The children had a great time painting the faces of their parents and the Flying Start team too.”

Cllr Liz Hacket Pain, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Flying Start is a fantastic programme that has provided so many children and families with invaluable opportunities. It is so good to see the programme working in Abergavenny, Monmouth, Caldicot and Chepstow. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Flying Start Team for their continued work.”

For more information about Flying Start contact 01873 856162