Wakefield Growing Healthy 0-19 Team

17/01/2026

For maternal mental health support please contact your GP, Midwife, health Visitor or contact any of these services to get the support you need South West Yorkshire Partnership Foundation Trust Perinatal Service Well Wakefield Wakefield 0-19 SPOC 0300 373 0944

16/01/2026

EARLY YEARS FEST IS BACK!
Following the success of the Early Years Fest last year with nearly 600 parents, grandparents, children and professionals, we’re having another Fest in February 2026 which will be even bigger!
Come along to this year's Early Years Fest and hear about all things baby - from pregnancy to a child being ready to start school! Here’s what you need to know:
🗓️Wednesday 25 February 2026
⏰The event is open from 10:00am and will close at 4:00pm
📍Pontefract Racecourse, Park Road, Pontefract WF8 4QD (in the Premier Suite – from the car park, head towards Grand Stand & Paddock)
(free parking on-site, refreshments and snacks provided, café available)
For professionals, there is the chance to network, find out about local support for the early years and child development with a range of partners hosting information stalls, and a selection of Mini Masterclasses running throughout the day.
For families, there will be their children’s favourite characters, a pop-up Stay and Play with story time, a FREE playful learning kit to take home, an adventure trail, and of course the information stalls and Mini Masterclasses too!
The event by is FREE open to all families and professionals in the Wakefield district. We look forward to seeing you.
The Mini Masterclasses at this year’s Fest include: Baby Massage, Parent and Infant Relationships, A Parent’s Toolkit (programmes for parents), Feeding my Child, and Playful Learning.
You only need to book to secure your place on the Mini Masterclasses: https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/EYFEST2026

16/01/2026

🌟🌟🌟 SOCIAL BOCCIA SESSIONS! 🌟🌟🌟

Active Future East Leeds & Wakefield are excited to partner up with Wakefield Council l and WX Wakefield to bring you our Social Boccia events in 2026! 👏

The events are open for the whole family and are fun and inclusive for all ages and abilities! Boccia is a precision ball sport, similar to bowls, that's fully inclusive for players of all abilities including those with physical disabilities.

The sessions will run 11am-1pm on 25th January, 25th February, 16th April and 20th May at WX Wakefield (WF1 3AD) and we would love to see as many of you there as possible! And the best part... IT'S COMPLETELY FREE! 💜


To book follow the link below 👇👇👇

https://activities.bookpebble.co.uk/activity/active-future-east-leeds-wakefield-social-boccia-with-wx-wakefield-wakefield-c5e21161-f803-43b0-ada0-2f2e927b88a1

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact 07703364815 / lizzie@activefuture.info

Picture by Braedon McLeod on Unsplash.

15/01/2026

Looking to reconnect with your child during the harder days? The Wakefield 0–19 Single Point of Contact can offer you on the spot advice, plus your local Family Hub can guide you with courses for all ages. Call 0300 373 0944 or search 'family hubs' on the children's health app.

14/01/2026

How to Develop Your Personal Brand - FREE Online Webinar
Wednesday 21 January | 6.30–7.30pm
and My Great First Job are offering a free webinar for learners in Years 11–13, as well as their parents and carers.

Learners will gain practical tips to strengthen their CV and UCAS personal statement, and develop confident answers for interviews. The session also introduces the idea of a personal brand and how it can support applications for further study, training, or employment.

This is a great opportunity for schools, colleges, teachers and advisers to share with learners and families. Book here https://campaignmonitor.leeds.ac.uk/t/y-l-afyhlt-hjudyduhuh-j/

14/01/2026

Sexually Transmitted Infection Question Day (STIQ Day)
📅 14 January

Many common STIs, such as chlamydia, can take up to two weeks to show on a test.

If the festive season included unprotected s*x, now is a good time to get tested and look after your s*xual health.

✅ Free testing is available in many areas
🔗 Order a test here: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/s*xual-health-services/

Regular testing helps protect you and the people you’re intimate with.

14/01/2026

Pay as you feel baby and toddler music group that brings young families and older people together for singing, laughter and friendship in care homes across Wakefield are provided by The Together Project

Lots of weekly sessions here in Wakefield - find out more:

https://thetogetherproject.org.uk/songs-smiles-booking

Picture generated by AI.

13/01/2026

Job Alert - Permanent - Full Time - weekday office hours only.
Join our admin team in our office with free parking.
Salary is £24,937 to £26,598
Free Blue Light Card with retail discounts, free show tickets and holiday discounts.
Ability to buy and sell annual leave.
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9421-25-0958?employer=harrogate&language=en&page=4

13/01/2026

👶📖 Looking for something fun to do with your little ones?
Wakefield Libraries have story times for under 5s and their parents! They also include songs and colouring!
See attached post for full list of times and venues. Please note some require booking.

12/01/2026

Simple play is a really good way to bond with your baby, but also help their brains grow too! Have a go at peek-a-boo today and watch your baby's response - you might be suprised!

12/01/2026

15 hours childcare for all families - All 3 to 4 year olds in England can get up to 570 funded hours per year from the term after your child turns 3 years old through to starting school. This is usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. You can choose to take fewer hours over more weeks, if your childcare provider offers this option.

If at any point, you start work after your child has turned the relevant age, meaning you meet the income threshold for 30 hours childcare, you will need to apply.

Further information can be found here https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/ or contact Wakefield Council Early Years Team on 0800 587 8042 email information@wakefield.gov.uk

11/01/2026

Last chance for winter jabs!!!

People in the Wakefield District are being urged to get COVID‑19 and flu vaccines before the programmes close.

With colder weather and respiratory viruses still circulating, getting protected remains one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of serious illness and pressure on local health services.

The COVID‑19 autumn/winter 2025/26 programme ends on 31 January 2026, and the flu vaccination offer remains open until 31 March 2026.

This winter, COVID-19 vaccinations are available to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents, and people who are immunosuppressed.

The flu vaccination is being offered to children and pregnant women, everyone aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed and frontline health and social care staff.

The NHS National Booking Service on the NHS website is open for all eligible individuals to book their winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services.

Check if you’re eligible on the NHS website www.nhs.uk/vaccinations

Find out about NHS vaccination services, including how to book online, find a walk-in site and change your invitation preferences.