North Antrim MLA praises ‘real difference’ made by Ballymena and Antrim early years service

Action for Children staff Rosie Moore, Lorna Ballard and Franci Simpson with Jon Burrows MLA

A North Antrim MLA has praised the “real difference” being made by a local early years service after seeing its impact first-hand during a visit to Ballymena.

Jon Burrows visited Ballymena and Little Steps Antrim Sure Start on Doury Road on Friday, 1 May, where he met staff, parents and young children benefiting from the programme.

The service, which operates across three sites in the local area, is fully funded by the Department of Education and delivered by leading charity Action for Children.

Supporting children from the earliest stages

Ballymena and Little Steps Antrim Sure Start provides a wide range of support aimed at giving children aged from birth to four years old the best possible start in life.

Its services include health support, family assistance and early education programmes designed to strengthen children’s learning skills, improve health and wellbeing, and support social and emotional development during crucial early years.

The programme works closely with statutory, voluntary and community organisations, combining home-based support with group sessions to create what is described as a “wraparound” approach for families.

This model ensures that children and their caregivers are supported in ways that meet their individual needs, both in the home and within the community.

First-hand insight into local impact

During his visit, Mr Burrows engaged directly with families and staff, gaining a closer understanding of how the service operates on the ground and the difference it is making locally.

Speaking afterwards, he said:

“I was delighted to visit the service and see first-hand the fantastic work Action for Children is doing in the local area. It was so inspiring to meet the team and see the real difference the service is making in supporting children and families.”

The visit offered an opportunity to highlight the importance of early intervention services and the role they play in supporting both children’s development and wider family wellbeing.

Engaging families and addressing challenges

Service manager Rosie Moore, from Portglenone, said the visit provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the breadth of support offered to families from pregnancy through to early childhood.

She said:

“We were delighted to welcome Jon Burrows MLA to Ballymena and Little Steps Sure Start this morning to hear about the support being offered to parents and children from antenatal right through to age four.

“Jon was able to chat to children and families in our developmental programme for two-to-three-year-olds and a baby reflexology session. We were also able to reflect on the challenges facing families in the local community and the policy changes that could help, which is so important.”

Her comments point to the wider pressures facing families and the importance of shaping policy that responds to real-life needs identified through frontline services.

A service rooted in community need

By combining early education with practical family support and health-focused interventions, the Sure Start programme continues to play a central role in helping young children build strong foundations for the future.

The visit underlines the ongoing importance of sustained investment in early years services and the tangible impact they are having across Ballymena and Antrim communities.

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At a glance

• Jon Burrows MLA visited Ballymena and Little Steps Antrim Sure Start on 1 May

• Service operates across three local sites

• Funded by the Department of Education and run by Action for Children

• Supports children aged 0-4 and their families

• Provides health, education and family support services

• Offers home-based and group support through a wraparound model

• Visit included engagement with families and staff

• Discussions also covered challenges facing local families and policy needs

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