**Please also sign our KCC ePetition on the following link**

https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=488

They say it takes a village to raise a child but our village is currently under threat. Kent County Council are proposing to close 35 Children's Centres across the county including Blossoms and The Sunflower Centre for the Dover area. This would leave the families of Deal and Eythorne and surrounding villages with no provision for babies and children. The nearest alternative is 8/9 miles away respectively. 

With the cost of living crisis this is going to be a cost which many will simply be unable to afford, whether by their own transport or public transport. Public transport itself is being slashed to the minimum leaving even less options for families to access these vital services. 

Children's centres have a vital role in the community. They provide: medical care through midwife and health visiting services, access to early help for parents who need support without the full involvement of children's services, a lifeline to new parents struggling with fatigue or even post natal depression, support to breastfeed babies, friendship for those who are isolated, the simple chance to talk to others experiencing the same life difficulties, in addition to so many other benefits. 

The research is clear that offerings such as groups at children's centres help those suffering from deprivation and help to overcome social inequality by allowing children from all backgrounds the opportunities to mix with their peers even if the paid for alternatives are financial out of reach.  The educational merits if children playing together from a young age are enormous.

Many such locations house swap shops, food banks or pay what you can clothing stands. At a time of financial crisis these are vital! 

We must act to save our Children's Centres. We must tell Kent County Council not to close these much needed services.