Over 50 young County Durham parents have been celebrated after finishing a course to learn vital life skills. 

The parents were invited to an event at Hardwick Park, near Sedgefield, to mark their completion of the Teen Parent programme. 

Run by Durham County Council’s One Point Service, the 20-week course aims to increase opportunities for employment, education and training. The Teen Parent programme also raises awareness of health issues and seeks to boost self-esteem, educational attainment, aspiration and money management skills.

Durham County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, Cllr Owen Gunn, said, “Caring for a baby is not easy and we all need support, particularly those who are still young themselves.” 

“This course helps parents give their children the best start in life as well as making sure they develop their own skills, which will be useful in their future careers or training.” 

Teen parent programme 2
The course attendees at Hardwick Park

After last year’s event, the One Point Service manager, Chris Peverall, commented, “These young parents have shown through their hard work and commitment that they want to develop the skills that will help them achieve their full potential.”

“We will continue to offer them help and advice on the many day-to-day issues that come with bringing up children.”

“And we will continue to work with them in a bid to help them tackle the additional barriers to education and employment they often come up against.”

“Many of these parents will have the opportunity to go on to further training programmes or apprenticeships.”

Hardwick Park is a country park that was developed from a run-down aristocratic estate with the help of lottery cash. Hardwick Park was recently nominated for an award that might see it declared as the best park in the UK.


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DavidSunderland
David writes about local news, thought provoking stories, and yearns to capture the community spirit with a unique writing style.

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