Website of the Month Parents Guide to Plymouth

Website of the month

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Parents Guide to Plymouth
How to survive and enjoy life in Plymouth with a family

Website of the Month
One Website will be highlighted for its appeal to parents and/or children. Please use the Message Board to share information about sites that you feel will be of interest to other families and to let us know what you think about the current choice.

Can't find what you are looking for - use the powerful Google search engine to search the website or the world wide web.

Current Website of the Month:

Find out all about Michael Morpurgo - Devon-based author of Warhorse (wowing audiences on the stage in London, and now being made into a feature film by Steven Spielberg, partly filmed on Dartmoor) and many other great books.

Previous Websites of the Month:

	http://www.actionfornature.org Action for Nature encourages young people to take personal action to nurture and protect a healthy environment on which all life depends.
	http://www.actonco2.direct.gov.uk Work out your carbon footprint to enable you to make your new year resolutions to save the planet!
	Adult education 2004 - 2005 http://www.plymouthoncourse.com Log on for a wide range of adult learning opportunities in Plymouth and surrounding area for 2004-05, including parenting skills, child care and much more.

Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS) http://www.aims.org.uk publishes a quarterly journal which focuses on current issues in maternity care, gives news about ongoing campaigns, and analyses the latest research. It also includes readers' views and stories, book and video reviews, and conference reports from around the country.

	http://www.ask-a-librarian.org.uk/index.html Welcome to the UK's electronic reference library! Accessible at all hours of the day and night, and offering to deliver a response to your enquiry direct to your desktop.
	Barefoot is an agency devoted to developing and strengthening links between the Arts and Education in Plymouth http://www.marjon.ac.uk/barefoot
	BBC Breathing Places - A place for nature near you! Pick up lots of ideas for things to do in the spring to make your area more encouraging for wildlife.
	BBC Child of our Time http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/tv_and_radio/child_of_our_time/ Robert Winston presented the series "Child of our Time" on BBC1 on Sunday evenings. This website aims to support parents with information, advice, activity cards, interactive games etc.
	BBC Gardeners' World http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardenersworld Ideas on how to garden with wildlife in mind, after a summer which saw a major decline in butterflies and bees in our gardens.
	http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/digital_curriculum.shtml BBC jam is a free online service, delivered through broadband and narrowband connections, providing high-quality interactive resources designed to stimulate learning at home and at school. The service is structured around, and based on, current school curricula for 5-16 year olds within the UK and available free to anyone within the UK with an internet connection.

BBC - Musical skills http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/parents/ This site encourages all parents (whatever their own musical ability) to help their child develop their interest and skills in music from a very young age.

BBC Message Board http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/have_your_say/index.shtml set up to enable those with family and friends serving abroad with the military task force, to chat with and support, others in the same position.

From the BBC series "Wild about Britain" http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildbritain/makespace/ this area of the BBC website is packed with information about making space for nature in your garden or window box.

Babycentre Community http://www.babycentre.co.uk/community/ A series of message boards covering many topics from pregnancy, childbirth, issues concerning children, family life, etc.

Best Bear www.bestbear.co.uk is an independent service, vetting and listing recommended childcare and nanny agencies in London and throughout the UK. They offer researched information on all areas of parenting and childcare, a comprehensive database of nurseries, plus parenting forums and an 'ask the experts' service for specialist advice. Best Bear also offers a parents classified ads service and a searchable database of childcarers' CVs, together with a nanny reference checking service. www.bestbear.co.uk

	Bullying problems www.bullying.co.uk Offers help and advice for parents and pupils who are tackling bullying, explaining how to tackle the problem and what happens if you take legal action. Has sections for parents, pupils, about legal advice, projects, problem pages for parents and pupils and more.
	www.ccll.org.uk/ Chernobyl Children Lifeline is part of a national charity raising money to support the children of Belarus who continue to suffer the after-effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. They are looking for host families who are able to welcome children into their homes for a four week period.
	Contact a Family www.cafamily.org.uk/findchildcare.html have produced a factsheet designed to provide parents with disabled children with all the information they need to organise the right childcare for the school holidays.
	www.dadcafe.co.uk A site for the father-to-be or new father to have the virtual equivalent of a drink and a chat.
	www.dartmoorzoo.co.uk/default.asp Dartmoor Zoological Park - if you haven't been able to see the new set-up (Ben's Zoo shown on BBC2) during our poor summer, why not make an autumn/winter visit as it is open every day from 10.00 am.

The Department for Education and Skills www.parentcentre.gov.uk This Government website contains much information about education in Britain today, including ideas for helping your children, together with many links to other relevant sites.

Devon Library Service www.devon.gov.uk/library/webguide/children.html http://www.devon.gov.uk/library/webguide/children.html
Devon Library and Information Services Web Guide to Children’s sites – many great suggestions from Art to Science via Games and Puzzles!

	The Devon Wildlife Trust: http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org The junior arm of The Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife Watch is the UK's leading club for young environmentalists. Aimed at opening young people's eyes to their natural surroundings, it offers a great way for young people to help wildlife, and adults can help too! Sue Sykes is our Wildlife Watch Co-ordinator, who organises activities and events. A network of local Wildlife Watch groups, run by volunteers, carries out practical work to help protect our special wildlife for the future.
	http://www.digginit.org.uk/ Diggin It is a community organic garden project in Plymouth. They welcome volunteers who wish to get involved, and also sell vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs.
	www.direct.gov.uk Find out the current rates and information on UK child benefits
	Don't Let Devon Go to Waste - Lots of useful information to help you recycle and prevent waste going into landfill.
	Drake Circus Shopping Centre: http://www.drakecircus.com A website providing information on the new Drake Circus shopping centre which opened in Plymouth on 5 October 2006.
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/statutory_maternity_pay.asp Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance and statutory Adoption Pay will increase from six months to nine months for babies due on or after 1 April 2007 or adoption placements after that date. Other changes also apply; visit the Department for Work and Pensions website for further information.

	Education Unlimited http://www.learn.co.uk this section of the Guardian Website contains recommended links to more than a thousand websites for teachers, parents and students. Every subject of the curriculum is included, as well as sites for educational bodies, school management and careers advice.
	www.facebook.com A Facebook site at Parents Guide to Plymouth UK. If you are a Facebook member or want to join, check out news, events and add your own comments relating to families in Plymouth.
	Family Friendly holidays in Devon and Cornwall - find the perfect local place for your family holiday.
	http://www.5aday.nhs.uk/TopTipsForTopMums/ NHS based site to help you plan healthy eating for the family

	For Parents by Parents http://www.forparentsbyparents.com This site looks at all the life-changing elements of parenthood, even the grim bits! Through the sharing of personal experiences, parents offer support, reassurance, information, ideas and practical solutions.
	Freecycle http://www.freecycle.org/ Freecycling is a great way to avoid throwing out your unwanted items that may be useful to someone else. The only requirement is that it must be free. There are groups around the world - this link will enable you to join the Plymouth group.
	The "Give a Child a Chance" Appeal http://www.gacac.org.uk is raising funds to improve facilities at Plymouth's Child Development Centre (Scott Hospital) and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Mount Gould Hospital). Find out about more about their plans, events and how you can support their aims to improve facilities for children with special health and education needs in the Plymouth area.
	Good Beach Guide - Published by the Marine Conservation Society - recommends clean and safe beaches around the UK.
	www.goreal.org.uk a website set up to encourage parents to use real nappies instead of disposables. In these days of increasing worries about costs and carbon footprints, this is something every parent should check out.
	Green Events http://www.greenevents.co.uk A site set up to give details of green events in Devon (and London) - providers can add their own activities. "Promoting conscious and sustainable living."

Home Start http://www.home-start.org.uk
Described as the UK's leading family support organisation, providing trained, parent volunteers to help any parent, with at least one child under five, who is finding it hard to cope. Established in 1973, Home-Start now works alongside 21,000 families and 48,000 children each year.

	Hubble Space Telescope at http://www.hubblesite.org Gallery of the images from the Hubble Space Telescope plus history, news, highlights, facts and figures, behind the scenes, etc.
	http://www.kidscookingco.co.uk A Devon-based company selling cookware sets for children. Their website has a section with recipes for children to try out and invites you to send in photos of your cooking.
	http://www.recycleworld.co.uk/ Lamp Recycling Services and Recycle World - A Plymouth-based company dedicated to recycling old computers and gas filled lamps - they offer a collection service for businesses and organisations. The refurbished computers are offered to all, but the priority is to charities, the disadvantaged and other groups. Visit the website for further information.
	http://www.mendprogramme.org MEND's mission is to enable a significant, measurable and sustained reduction in childhood overweight and obesity levels. There is a children's clinic in Plymouth - follow the link and click on "Current and upcoming MEND programmes" for local information.

	Millennium Volunteers http://www.millenniumvolunteers.gov.uk Aimed at young people aged 16 - 24 encouraging them to help others while doing something they enjoy.
	Monopoly Here and Now edition http://www.monopoly.co.uk Help put Plymouth on the map - vote for your favourite city to appear in the new version of Monopoly!

Motley Fool http://www.fool.co.uk A website crammed full of very useful financial information.

24 Hour museum: A website which acts as a gateway to over 2,500 UK museums, galleries and heritage attractions, opening at the Plymouth City Museum information. http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/museum/SW000024.html

Anne Fine's Book site http://www.myhomelibrary.org Anne Fine, the Children's Laureate, has launched this website aimed at encouraging children to collect and keep books. Book reviews, competitions, where to buy second hand books, bookplates by Quentin Blake and Posy Simmonds and others, free to download; also information on a scheme to provide braille books.

National Drug Prevention Alliance www.drugprevent.demon.co.uk/mainpage.html
A grouping of organisations and individuals who want to see more and better prevention operating in the UK, as part of the solution to the drug problem.

The National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) http://www.nfpi.org.uk is an independent charity working to support parents in bringing up their children, to promote the wellbeing of families and to make society more family friendly. Check out events during the week of 25 to 31 October. The NFPI invite parents, carers, children and young people all over the UK to take part in their research, with their comments feeding into a major report being published at the end of 2004.

National Geographic Magazine children's section - resources, information, quizzes, brainteasers and more http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

	National Trust Website for Children http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trusty/index.htm This is the National Trust's Website for children. It contains details of events, competitions, children's pictures, reports, photos and more.
	http://www.opalexplorenature.org/ The OPAL (The Open Air Laboratories Network) is a partnership involving Moor Trees, Plymouth City Museum and the University of Plymouth (among others locally and nationally) which celebrates biodiversity, environmental quality and people's engagement with nature. Watch the site for details of activities you can get involved in.

	Oxfam http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/ This spin-off from the main Oxfam site invites children to learn about countries where Oxfam works. Features include online quizzes, Fair Trade recipes and a teacher advisory zone.
	Have fun with 3D paper art by downloading these templates. http://www.canon.co.uk/paperart/index.asp
	www.oxfam.org.uk Looking for ways to save money? Like to support a good cause? Now you can get the best bargains from the comfort of your own home with the Oxfam online charity shop. Click on the link for their children's clothing department. You can also pick up bargain men's and women's clothing, accessories and shoes as well as music and movies, homeware and collectables (including toys and games) and books! There's a flat rate delivery charge of £3.50 and free returns! You are also helping the planet by recycling!

Planet Science http://www.scienceyear.com
News, events, amazing facts, interactive games, teachers' booklets, organisations, museums, attractions, and much more.

	Plymouth 2020 Partnership http://www.plymouth2020.co.uk brings together four different sectors - public, private, voluntary and community. It aims to build a better quality of life for the local community. The Partnership got its name because it looks to transform the quality of life in the city dramatically by the year 2020.
	Plymouth Children's Book Group http://www.plymouthcbg.ndo.co.uk The Plymouth Children's Book Group is one of the many groups which make up the Federation of Children's Book Groups. It is for anyone interested in finding out more about good children's books. Visit the website for details of their many and varied activities.

	Plymouth City Centre Partnership http://www.plymouthcitycentre.co.uk A guide to Plymouth's city centre, including a listing of all the city centre shops.
	www.plymouth.gov.uk/privatefostering Plymouth City Council information about private fostering - when a child or young person (generally under 16 years old) is looked after for 28 days or more by someone who is not a close relative, guardian or person with parental resonsibility.
	http://plymouth.consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/ldf/ypyf/ Plymouth City Council's "Your Place, Your Future" initiative is intended to involve all Plymouth residents in consultation events about their local neighbourhood. This website enables you to submit relevant comments online about your own area. You can also find out about the consultation timetable.
	http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/worldcultures/ An online resource from Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery. Discover fascinating facts about the large range of objects from around the world in the Museum - including visitors' comments and teachers' notes.
	http://plymouthbb.wordpress.com/ Plymouth libraries blog for under fives and their families in Plymouth. Full of news, events and book reviews.
	http://www.plymouthsummerfestival.com/ Details of all the activities which go together to make Plymouth a vibrant city throughout the summer.
	Plymouth Parent Partnership Schools Out website a very useful website for details of many local activities - an interactive map allows you to select events in your neighbourhood.

	http://www.readswapit.co.uk If you have bought a book, finished with it and don't know what to do with it, now you can swap it for just the cost of postage.
	Recycling in Plymouth http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/yourcouncil/environment/recycling.htm is your guide to recycling in Plymouth. Find out what happens to the contents of green bins and boxes and other re-cycled materials.
	www.recycledevon.org Find out the benefits of using real nappies - both financially and for the future of the planet! Apply for a FREE trial kit which contains everything you need for one month.
	http://www.rncom.mod.uk Royal Naval website designed to act as a link between sailors and their families, including information about moving to a new base, accommodation, schools, doctors, entertainment and where to seek help and support.

Road safety website http://www.hedgehogs.gov.uk Government Road Safety website with games for children and advice for teachers and parents. There is a link to the Arrive Alive cycle safety website.

Royal Greenwich Observatory/National Maritime Museum http://www.rog.nmm.ac.uk/
Lots of interesting information on astronomy, maritime history, etc including resource packs for teachers, children's puzzles, etc.

	Royal National Lifeboat Institution http://www.rnli-shorething.org.uk/Youth/default.aspx Visit the young people's website of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution; take a look at the In Action section and see which lifeboats are "Out on a Shout".
	http://www.safekids.co.uk A website designed to provide information about keeping children safe and healthy, including short video clips produced in conjunction with St John Ambulance about how to help a child who is choking.

	Science Museum www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/education/families/online.asp Visit the Science Museum in London without leaving your computer, and have fun with online activities, find out about children's sleepovers at the Museum and more!
	http://www.secretplymouth.co.uk/ Set up by RiO - an ethically-based social enterprise focusing on children, young people, communities and change. Go to the website to read about the secret places in Plymouth - and add your own favourites - especially those most enjoyed by all the family. [Too late now - the blog closed on 22 November 2007.]
	Sonic Postcards http://www.sonicpostcards.org Plymouth school children have been involved in a national multimedia project helping to teach listening skills, art and IT. There will be an exhibition and showcase of the work associated with the event, in Plymouth later in 2006.

	Stars and Astronomy http://www.star.le.ac.uk/edu An educational guide to Stars and Astronomy to stimulate interest or help with homework and projects.
	Sure Start Keystone http://www.surestart-keystone.co.uk The Sure Start Keystone website has been launched for parents and carers of under-fives in the Keyham and Stonehouse areas of Plymouth to find out about community services.

	Tax Credits http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/HomeNew.aspx Nine out of ten families are entitled to tax credits from April 2003, as part of the Government's programme for tackling poverty and making work pay.
	http://www.teethonline.org.uk A website provided by dentists in Cornwall aimed at educating children and adults on how to look after their teeth.

	Department of Trade and IndustryTailored Interactive Guidance on Employment Rights http://www.tiger.gov.uk Regulations on Maternity and Paternity rights changed on 6 April 2003. Consult the site for further information, including details of paid paternity and adoption leave.
	Trains http://www.trakkies.co.uk A website for children who love trains, including links to rail events around the country, safety, history, trains of the future and more, aimed primarily at 7 to 11 year olds.

	Travel Planning with children/ or when pregnant http://www.safelanding.net/children/children.html Advice on travelling when pregnant; also tips on flying with babies and children.
	http://www.travellingwithchildren.co.uk/
	Twelves Company http://www.twelvescompany.co.uk/home is a community-based registered charity operating from the Devonport area of Plymouth. Their mission statement is "To enable and empower families, individuals and groups to take action on health, education, training and work which improves the quality of personal and community life, physically, mentally and spiritually."
	Welcome to Wednesdays http://www.welcometowednesdays.co.uk A Plymouth website for parents of children with Autistic spectrum disorders, ADHD and their families. Lots of information to share and details of weekly meetings in the city.
	http://www.wemburymarinecentre.org/events.html Wembury Marine Centre - lots of exciting activities for children and details of a photographic competition for adults and juniors - closing date 18 July 2008.

Wildlife Watch describes itself as the UK's leading environmental action club for kids. Check out their website for your local Watch group. http://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

	The Woodland Trust "Fun for Children" section http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/discovery/index.htm also ideas for parents, teachers and youth leaders. The "Our Woods" area on the website gives details of the Woodland Trust bluebell woods by area, where the bluebells should be flowering in April and May.
	World Book Day Thursday 4th March is World Book Day 2010 - visit the website to download exciting resources for children.