A NEW forum shaping the future of family services has been launched - with Bromsgrove parents encouraged to get involved with the new service.

The Very Involved Parent (VIP) forum is designed to provide feedback from local families with the aim of shaping current Early Help services to suit the needs of the customers.

Parents can choose the involvement they can have, with a number of ways to provide feedback.

This can be given over the phone, through a question sheet, or the VIP district forum.

The group meets every eight weeks in an informal setting to discuss the Early Help centres, and the feedback left by others.

Louise Hall, community development co-ordinator, said: “The VIP forums are a fantastic way for us to consult with local families to make sure we’re providing them with the services that they need. The feedback is vital so that we can mould our services based on the advice and ideas of the people who use them.

“We want to meet with all ages so that we can cater for the needs of every family member from children to young people, parents to carers and grandparents.

"It is hard at times bringing up a family and sometimes we all need a little bit of help. Getting involved with the forum is as easy as having a cuppa and a chat – just about the best ways to improve your local services.”

Any ideas or suggestions brought up by the VIP Forum will be taken forward to managers within Early Help and Bromsgrove District Council, to discuss the best way to progress them.

The next VIP forum is being held on Thursday, October 22, between 9.30am and 11.30am at the Starlight Cafe, Charford. A creche service is available during this time.

Anyone interested in attending a forum can call Rubina on 01527 61360.