A RALLYING call to get the first 1,001 critical days right in the life of every Bradford baby goes out across the district today at the start of a new campaign.

Pioneering family support programme Better Start Bradford (BSB) wants to see a change in the way public services and communities work together to allow all babies get the appropriate protection and care they need from conception up to their second birthday.

Experts say rapid brain development during that time period means the relationships, environment and care a child experiences have a profound effect on their development and life chances.

Today BSB, which works in some of the city’s most deprived communities, is hosting an event addressing local professionals on how they can work with each other to support families and get babies district-wide off to the best possible start.

The event is being held at the end of Bradford Council’s Safeguarding Week.

Better Start Bradford’s director Michaela Howell and chairman of the Bradford Children’s Trust Board, Cllr Val Slater will be the main speakers.

The innovative community programme, set up with ten years of lottery funding to work in Little Horton, Bowling & Barkerend and Bradford Moor, hopes the call will now result in a local manifesto.

Ms Howell said: “We believe this will have a lasting impact on families and children, and the health, wellbeing and prosperity of Bradford.”

Cllr Slater added: “The first few years of a child’s life are so important to their future wellbeing which is why it has been a key theme of Safeguarding Week this year.

“There are many agencies working across our district who have a role to play in supporting Bradford’s families. Safeguarding Week is about working better together, for the sake of babies, children and our communities.”

It also marks the start of a series of local activities by Better Start Bradford to promote the critical 1,001 days message to local families, including drop in sessions at local community venues in November and festive fun events in December. All activities will be promoted at betterstartbradford.co.uk.

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