📣 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧! We’re inviting submissions for 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 in Blackpool, 5th March 2026 – a full-day event spotlighting health and social inequalities and, crucially, ways we can all improve the wellbeing of babies, children, families, and communities across the UK.

JOB ALERT! A new exciting opportunity for a new 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 to join our existing Blackpool Early Years Team at Better Start. For more information: lnkd.in/epZbzBqR

Check out our first ever edition of The Better Start Briefing! Our new newsletter features the latest about what we've been up to in the world of #EarlyYears, as well as a welcome message from our Director Clare Law. You can subscribe here>> www.linkedin.com/pulse/welcom...

We invited BBC News to one of our outdoor events and provided expert comment on a report published today by Centre for Young Lives, ‘𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘍𝘰𝘳: 𝘈 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺’. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

We were frustrated to see a recent article on tooth decay in #Blackpool not include the work being done locally to tackle early years oral health improvement. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

@unicefmedia.bsky.social's timely report, 𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥’ confirms that too many children across the UK do not have access to the conditions they need to thrive - poverty and deprivation are negatively impacting their chances in life.

Clare Law, Director at Better Start providing expert early years comment today at one of our outdoor literacy events. Can't wait to share when the piece goes live #EarlyYears #RealChangeForChildhoods #Media

Throughout June, we have exciting training sessions coming up for professionals looking to learn new skills! All sessions will take place at the Solaris Centre in #Blackpool. To book your slot, please email [email protected] today. 🧵 1/4

Our director Clare Law has shared her thoughts on @ncb.org.uk's summit, which she attended last week. #NCBsummit

We are delighted to share that the exciting news that the Parent-Infant Foundation has secured over £1 million from the National Lottery Community Fund to create the National Parent-Infant Relationship (PAIR) Framework!

Our very own Vicki Morgan and Dr Lauren Wolfenden presented at University of Central Lancashire's Maternal, Parental and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Unit (MAINN) Conference in Grange-over-Sands this afternoon. Thank you to everyone who joined the session! @vickimorgs.bsky.social @uclan.ac.uk

This year, we're celebrating a decade of Better Start in Blackpool. In case you missed it, why not watch our 10-year celebration film? It showcases some of the amazing things the Blackpool early years’ system has accomplished, with our support, during that time.

We are presenting at the @uclan.ac.uk Maternal, Parental and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Unit (MAINN) Conference tomorrow, sharing our learning on our holistic infant feeding pathway in #Blackpool.

We @better-start.bsky.social are attending & presenting @uclan.ac.uk MAINN conference this week. Myself & team will be sharing our holistic approach to infant feeding, we’ve increased breastfeeding rates by 10% & how babies living in care are being fed by breastmilk.

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝟭-𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 '𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻'. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘺, 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘺: 𝘐𝘯 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲, 𝟭𝟮-𝟭𝗽𝗺 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲> bit.ly/ThinkBaby25

Looking for a new challenge? Join our team! Senior Data Analyst - help make sure every baby has the best start in life, by ensuring projects are monitored, and population and individual impact understood. More info: bit.ly/4itLWKs Apply by: 9 May 2025 Location: Blackpool (Hybrid)

Today, the @houseoflords.parliament.uk will debate a new report from the Food, Diet and Obesity Committee: 'Recipe for health: a plan to fix our broken food system'.

At Better Start, we're excited to read about England's new 'school readiness skills list' endorsed by the education secretary. For the last two years we have worked collaboratively with parents, #EarlyYears settings, schools and the community to develop a play-based approach to #SchoolReadiness 🧵1/4

To mark #SaferSleepWeek from 10–16 March, we are pleased to share this Voices blog by Jenny Ward, CEO of The Lullaby Trust, who shares new and updated, expert information and how #HealthVisitors can help. buff.ly/toxBgsX #HeathVisiting

We've been in the studio to capture the experience of delivering The Brain Architecture Game to thousands of Blackpool's current/future workforce. Our trainers Jo Mills & Rebecca Calvert have delivered the game for seven years and had a wealth of invaluable insights to share with future trainers.

#IMHAW2025 will highlight the crucial job that specialised teams and services do, both supporting babies and their families, and helping local services to join-up and ensure someone is always holding the baby! Keep an eye on our website for updates as we get closer to June 👇 bit.ly/42nUI63 🧵3/3

#IMHAW2025 #Whoisholdingthebaby Our research shows a growing number of parent-infant teams. But in many areas, there is still no support. #IMHAW will highlight how important these services are, and urge decision makers to understand ‘who is holding the baby’ in their area. 🧵 2/3

It's always a privilege to support Infant Mental Health Awareness Week and highlight the importance of babies' mental health and wellbeing, an often overlooked and misunderstood subject. Save the date 🗓️ June 9th - 15th #IMHAW2025

Colleagues from Better Start are at British Early Childhood Education Research Association (BECERA) today, presenting on #SchoolReadiness.

Now presenting at the #10yearsofABS conference, our Strategic Service Manager Annette is highlighting how early identification of speech and language needs in Blackpool has been a collective priority of the Blackpool Better Start [email protected] @ncb.org.uk vimeo.com/1053371955

We are talking to delegates on building systems for early child development, and our experience of this in Blackpool. #10yearsofABS @ncb.org.uk Through reflection on a decade of learning we have developed the Better Start Framework to Systems Building. Read our full report: bit.ly/3QbsYww

Today we are celebrating 10 years of A Better Start at a conference hosted by @ncb.org.uk Blackpool Better Start are so proud of the part we’ve played in this truly unique and ground-breaking partnership that has changed the early years landscape in the UK. @tnlcomfund.bsky.social #10yearsofABS

A great day yesterday, meeting up with colleagues at the @nspcc.bsky.social National Training Centre in #Leicester. Also a privilege to hear from guest speaker Sophie Olson about her lived experience, and how the lived experiences of survivors must inform how we approach the protection of children.

Join our team - Research and Evaluation Officer An opportunity to help make sure every baby has the best start in life, by ensuring that projects and activities are evaluated, monitored, impact and effectiveness are considered from implementation, through delivery to long term. Apply> bit.ly/40LbmfN

Social & emotional development shapes how we connect, cope, and thrive—not just in childhood but throughout life. The early years, from pregnancy to age five, are crucial for building these skills. Investing in this foundation benefits individuals, families, and society.

Two of our experts - Vicki Morgan and Annette Algie - are speaking at @ncb.org.uk virtual conference on 10 February. They'll be discussing how to build systems change that creates lasting outcomes for babies, young children, and families in the community. #ABetterStart

We're delighted to announce that our director Clare Law has been elected to @first1001days.bsky.social steering group! We're excited to begin working with our new colleagues and bringing our decade of learning from Blackpool to the conversation.

Following a competitive election, we are delighted to announce the following candidates were successfully elected onto our steering group last night: @actionforchildren.bsky.social - Martha Hampson Anna Freud - Abi Miranda Association for Infant Mental Health (UK) - Jane Barlow

We had such an energising time at the #ReadingRights summit and can't wait to put the conversations into action! Watch the video Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social shared at the summit to demonstrate the power of early reading here: www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/c...

We're delighted to share that Blackpool Parent-Infant Relationship Service (PaIRS) - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 film has been shortlisted in the Smiley Charity Film Awards. Please vote for 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 film here> smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/the-ca...

We were delighted to host the #ReadingRights summit with @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social today. It was a pleasure to have such expert, passionate voices in the room and we're excited to take these conversations forward with the publication of our Reading Rights report in the spring.

Our very own Natasha Harrison and Melanie Farman joined Alex Robinson, Early Years Policy Advisor for the Department for Education on the Foundation Years vodcast! The episode explores the importance of baby brain development & how Early Years educators can make a difference youtu.be/3-nZV4bZy1o?...

As the end of the #ABetterStart programme approaches, join us in celebrating ten years of learning and successes. This FREE online event will showcase the remarkable achievements from the five partnerships. Register here: tinyurl.com/48w99mwz

Our festive grottos are a highlight for the team each year. They represent not just a chance for families to meet Santa for free and play together, but an opportunity for our Community Connectors to identify those needing support over the Christmas period. blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/you-are...

We welcome the Department for Education's announcement of a £2 billion increase in Early Education funding, especially considering the current fiscal context. It demonstrates the Government's commitment to Early Years as a key priority. DfE press release: www.gov.uk/government/n... 🧵[1/4]

Fascinating thread from @theifs.bsky.social, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org ⤵️

We're on #BlueSky! Give us a follow if you work in #EarlyYears and/or care about improving outcomes for children and young families ❤️