Toddlers and parents joined Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, as he officially opened the brand new Marvels Lane Children’s Centre, in Grove Park, on Wednesday 18 March 2009.
Marvels Lane is the thirteenth children’s centre to open in Lewisham since 2005. It joins a growing network of centres across the borough providing high quality, accessible support services for children and their families.
Local families had an opportunity to see the new facilities and meet the staff at the opening event. Bridget Prentice, MP for Lewisham East, also celebrated with the children as they took part in face painting, artwork, singing and balloon making.
Based at Marvels Lane Primary School, the new centre offers a range of services for children under five years and their families. These include family support, child and family health services, childcare and links to Job Centre Plus and children’s information services.
As Sir Steve officially marked the opening by cutting 13 ribbons, he said: “I am absolutely delighted to open Lewisham’s newest children’s centre. It’s a fantastic building and the centre will provide first class services to the local community as well as give Lewisham children a great start in life.
“Hundreds of Lewisham families are already benefiting from the 12 children’s centres we have already opened across the borough and can look forward to even more in the next two years.”
Marvels Lane Primary School children presented the children’s centre with welcoming gifts: books and artwork they had specially made. In return, each child was given a book donated by Marvels Lane Children’s Centre.