A children's centre for Sheppey's eastern end has gone from strength to strength since it opened five months ago - and there are big plans afoot for the future.

Beaches at the George Wharton Centre in Leysdown now has more than 250 youngsters on its books and that's rising each month.

Since it opened, staff have listened closely to parents about the types of services they want and a carefully selected programme of activities is now on offer.

Some of these include the ever popular messy play session, family music fun, stay and play and baby play time.

But it's not just games and activities - there is also a range of information and advice on hand at the centre.

A midwife offers outreach sessions, a health visitor gives information and advice, there are adult education courses, mental health charity Together offer one to one sessions to name a few.

One of the things that makes it so popular, according to seconded centre coordinator James Walker, is the continuous support and backing of the parents.

The centre has a parent forum which meets on the last Wednesday of every month and they are currently working hard to enter a beach themed float into the Leysdown Summer Carnival later this month.

Within the parent forum, they have also created a community group called the WEL (Warden, Eastchurch and Leysdown) project with the idea it will eventually become a charity and raise money to support family work.

Although the group has been set up in recognition of on-going public sector cuts, Mr Walker says there's nothing to suggest Beaches is at any sort of risk of closure.

He said: "We are very much parent-driven here and we have been getting a feel for what the local people want.

"Our parents are very proactive out here.

"The people who use us are really staunchly for us and the backing we get from our parents is amazing - they really are very supportive and protective of the centre."

Mr Walker says he is also hoping to increase people's understanding of what the centre does and what it's for.

Community groups and clubs are welcome to inquire about having a base there.

Plans for the centre's future include a project in partnership with the Hope Street Centre to set up a job club and also a bid for funding to get broadband at Beaches.

Community chef Mike Spackman will be starting sessions there and there will be more adult learning and cup cake decorating courses as well as health trainers offering quit smoking courses.

Mr Walker said his dream would be to get broadband and have a number of computer terminals in Beaches for members of the public to use for free.

"We are especially lucky we got a large children's centre so we are looking to encourage community use as well," he said.

"Because of the poor broadband to this end of the Island - it would be really good for people to be able to access that in this centre.

"The biggest thing is getting people to understand what we are here for and realise it's for everyone and that everything in our standard time-table is free."

Beaches is part of a network of three centres on Sheppey - Lilypad in Minster and Ladybird in Queenborough - so once a family is registered at any one they can access the services at all three.

• On every Monday in August from 11am to 1pm, Beaches is holding some summer fun sessions. They are for pre school children but any siblings of primary school age are also welcome. There will be a bouncy castle, fun and games and bikes and sports equipment.
• For more information contact the centre on 01795 511228.
• The centre is the base for the first part of the Sheerness Times Guardian on tour today (Wednesday). Staff will beavailable there until 3pm.