An early years charity has extended its work to two new areas in Stoke-on-Trent.

Thrive at Five, which has worked in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council since 2021, has extended its support to Meir and Burslem.

The charity's work to support strengthen pregnancy and early years support for families in Stoke-on-Trent was initially based in Bentilee and Abbey Hulton.

Thrive at Five employs local parent connectors to help local families find support as well as providing a team of early years experts to work alongside organisations such as the local authority, nurseries, schools, health visitors, midwives, family hubs and voluntary organisations.

Programme Director Karla Capstick said: "Creating long-term change for local families takes time, so Thrive at Five has committed to ten years of support.

"It's great news that we and our partners, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, have such a strong, shared vision for babies and children. I am delighted that the council and the wider partnership with health have extended and expanded investment in this work.

"Collaboration is key to our approach, and we look forward to building on our efforts so far to help more children and families thrive."

Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for children's services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "This is great news that will bring vital support to families in more areas of the city. We were the first local authority in the country to adopt the Thrive at Five model and we've seen the positive impact it's having in Bentilee and Abbey Hulton.

"By expanding this programme into Meir and Burslem, we're building on that success and making sure more parents and carers can access the help, advice and opportunities they need.

"Lasting change can only be achieved by working in partnership with organisations like Thrive at Five, whose community-led approach provides support within neighbourhoods, strengthening local networks and helping children and families thrive."

Thrive at Five says that in a recent survey, 74 per cent of local parents and carers the charity spoke to said that parent connectors gave them "helpful advice".

Dr Allison Gardner MP added: "I'm really pleased to see Thrive at Five expanding into Meir.

"I've been campaigning and lobbying for this provision because families in Meir deserve access to the same opportunities and support as families elsewhere.

"The first 1,001 days are a crucial time for children and families, and getting the right support in place early can make a real difference. What I particularly welcome about Thrive at Five is that it brings organisations together. Health visitors, midwives, nurseries, schools, Family Hubs, voluntary organisations and others can work together to make sure families get the right support.

"This is a great outcome for Meir, and I'm delighted to see the campaign turn into something tangible for local families."

To find out more about Thrive at Five, visit the website here.