This week we sat down with Kyle Turakhia, the Birmingham hub manager for the National Literacy Trust, and discussed all the impacts reading can have for a child's development.

We discussed how reading can improve many things for a child, including mental wellbeing, their ability to empathise with others, and writing and language skills. We also spoke about where books can be accessed, how to help children enjoy reading, different resources available from the National Literacy Trust, and much more.

www.literacytrust.org.uk

SCZ Links:

Website: www.sparkbrookchildrenszone.org.uk

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The £200 Household Support Fund is for anyone in Birmingham facing financial hardship.

In this episode we have a Hall Green and Selly Oak Household Support Fund Officer, Tom Barber, explaining what the fund is and how to access it, along with more key information.

⁠Hardship Grant Community Fund | Birmingham Voluntary Service Council⁠

SCZ Links:

Website: www.sparkbrookchildrenszone.org.uk

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Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552155252887

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sparkbrook-childrens-zone/?viewAsMember=true

What are vaccines and why do we have them?

In this episode we have Doctor Fran Dutton offering her medical expertise, and Nazmeen Rahimi, Early Help Family Support Advisor, offering her social expertise on the issue.

Key Points:

- What is the point of being Vaccinated

- Importance of Travel Vaccinations

- How to access Vaccines that don't have pork gelatine

- It's never too late to book an appointment!

- What side effects are there & myth busting

- Practical Tips for when taking your children to get Vaccinated

Website: www.sparkbrookchildrenszone.org.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sparkbrookchildrenszone/?next=%2F

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552155252887

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sparkbrook-childrens-zone/?viewAsMember=true

What is fussy eating and how do I help my child not be a fussy eater anymore?

In this episode we have Doctor Fran Dutton offering her medical expertise, and Nazmeen Rahimi, Early Help Family Support Advisor, offering her social expertise on the issue.

Key Points:

- What is fussy eating

- Top practical tips to introduce new foods into your child's diet

- The role milk plays in children being fussy eaters

- School dinners!

Website: www.sparkbrookchildrenszone.org.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sparkbrookchildrenszone/?next=%2F

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552155252887

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sparkbrook-childrens-zone/?viewAsMember=true

Constipation is experienced by 1 in 3 children within the UK.

In this bitesize episode we got both our NHS Doctor, Chris Bird, and our Early Help Family Support Advisor, Antoinette Ifill, to sit down together and discuss the problems and the solutions, from both a medical and social care perspective.

To learn more about who we are visit: www.sparkbrookchildrenszone.org.uk

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Podcast host Chiara Luxmoore discusses with Simarjeet Kaur (Programme Manager) what Sparkbrook Children's Zone is, and what the purpose is for creating this podcast.