A group of Bootle’s youngest rising stars were rewarded on Sunday for giving their hard work and free time to a brand new community project.

Launched in National Family Week, Time4Families is a campaign supporting positive family relationships which is being piloted in the south of the borough by NHS Sefton and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

The red carpet event at the SPACE centre in Marsh Lane included the premiere of Through Their Eyes, a 10-minute film shot in the style of the Big Brother diary room at the office of children’s charity Ykids at St John and St James Community Church in Kirby Road.

Young people aged between eight and 11 spoke candidly and humorously about what being part of a family meant to them and their words were watched by the invited audience of parents and guardians.

The young stars were presented with mini ‘Oscar-ettes’ for their performances as well as passes to Dune’s Splash World in Southport.

The event, which included a marketplace area and healthy food dished up by Bootle-based not-for-profit business Not Just Cooking, was also attended by Jean Massam, the Children’s Trust Director of Sefton Council and NHS Sefton.

She told those assembled: “Our aim is to ensure that young people in Sefton have the best possible chances in life and this campaign is so important because it recognises the crucial role family has in our children’s health and wellbeing.”

Dr Jaime Craig, consultant clinical psychologist at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, co-presented the event with Pat Nicholl, deputy head of health promotion at NHS Sefton.

He commented: “I know from my work in Sefton that family relationships are the key factor in children’s emotional wellbeing.

“I should like to congratulate everyone involved in the campaign and the families here today for doing such a great job.”

Formby Cycles donated the first prize of a bicycle, while Time4Families partners Engage2Change supplied an art box for the runner-up, with Splash World passes, courtesy of Active Sefton, going to the 15 third-place prize winners.

Hillside High School’s Gospel 13 Choir and Jazz Ensemble provided some lively entertainment, including a Glee-style performance of Like a Prayer which had the room clapping along.

A Time4Families magazine is also set to be distributed around the area and the organisation has set up a Family Heroes competition, with prizes including a family holiday at Pontin’s.

The deadline for competition entries is July 12.

More information on the competition, including a downloadable entry form – and further information on the campaign – is available at www.time4families.co.uk

source: http://www.bootletimes.co.uk/