GRANDPARENTS, parents and toddlers in Bradford are set to benefit from three new projects thanks to a share of a £2,500 grant for a better start.

A project encouraging children to grow fruit and vegetables, stay and play sessions for under-twos and a wellbeing group for parents and grandparents of very young children have received awards from the first round of Better Start Bradford’s Parents in the Lead Activity Fund.

New mums, babies and toddlers will benefit from Ladybird Group Stay and Play sessions at Community Works, based in Undercliffe Lane. The sessions will run for 36 weeks in term time, helping parents with healthy eating cook and taster sessions, baby massage and story sacks.

Aiva Tuceka, Ladybird Group co-ordinator, said: “I was so excited when we got the letter saying that we had got the funding.

“This award means that we can give new mums a place to meet friends and we can help them communicate and play with their children and babies.

“We will be putting leaflets up in local centres and GP surgeries to promote the new sessions.”

Eco Babies will be run by grandparents at the BD4 Family project in East Bowling, encouraging families to learn to grow their own fruit and vegetables. The families will be able to take pots and seeds home to grow in their own gardens and eat with their families.

Mel Astin, BD4 Family project manager, said: “We’re very excited to have been awarded the Parents in the Lead funding this time round. We hope the children involved in our grow-your-own Eco Babies sessions will be very happy with their free fruit and veg plants and boxes and remember to take good care of them once they’re in their own gardens.

“We want to encourage the toddlers in East Bowling to understand the value and importance of growing their own fruit and veg and learn how to look after them properly.”

And finally, £500 has been granted for a 12 -week Relax-time Well-being Group helping to develop skills in relaxation techniques for grown-ups and short bedtime soothing tips for children. The group will be meeting at St Stephen’s Church Hall as part of The Shine project in West Bowling.

Michaela Howell, director at Better Start Bradford, said: “Congratulations to all of the projects that have received funding through Parents in the Lead. All of the projects really embrace our ambition to give Bradford children the best start in life.”

The next deadline for applications for funding from Parents in the Lead is Wednesday, May 31. Projects must be parent or grandparent-led. Go to betterstartbradford.org.uk