It’s another grey, wet Monday morning and I drive to work through flooded roads.

At the centre door the wind sends leaflets flying around prams and soggy umbrellas, but its cosy inside. Staff are switching on computers, sharing news and preparing for another busy week.

As the morning progresses, toddlers become absorbed in making a collage, dressing up in the role play area, pouring water from jugs or pushing trucks about. Babies kick on playmats as their parents welcome a new mum to the Toy Library.

Agencies gather in a meeting room to discuss a vulnerable child’s needs and work out how best to support his family. Elsewhere plans are made for a Dad’s group to meet, a monthly surgery for Welfare Rights is organised and excited chatter erupts in the corridor as pre-school children go off to visit the local library. 

A busy Children’s Services Centre is a good place to work. We have a range of core services working in partnership to provide a continuum of support and it’s satisfying to look back over the past six years and think of all the families that have found the help they needed from both peers and professionals. 

By 5pm, the rain has stopped. The wind catches my coat as I hurry to the car, but the day has flown by and there are two new lambs in the field – spring is surely on its way!

Kate McGillivray, Lochside Childrens Services Centre Coordinator & Toy Librarian