Who we are

Since 2015, Better Start in Blackpool has been innovating, testing and crucially thinking differently about one of the most critical and challenging areas of public service: pregnancy and the early years.

Through commitment and collective action at all levels, from communities to senior leaders, Blackpool has improved the lives of babies and young children.

Working with families
Whilst the team in Blackpool continues to innovate, develop and deliver services to ensure the town’s children are ready to start school, Better Start is ready to do more. We are now being commissioned by other areas in the UK who are inspired by our systems building approach that works for all families.
Groups activities for families
Group of workforce
Workforce networking at a Better Start conference
Our pioneering team has extensive experience in making real change for childhoods in areas including:

  • Social and emotional child development

  • Parent-Infant relationships and perinatal mental health

  • Infant mental health and the child’s voice

  • Speech, Language and Communication including specialist interventions

  • Trauma and Adversity

  • Community & Engagement

  • Dads’ engagement

  • Enhanced Health Visiting

  • Oral Health

  • Pregnancy and Parenting

  • Diet and Nutrition

  • Training and development

  • Co-production

Meet the Team

Clare Law
Clare Law
Director
Annette Algie
Annette Algie
Strategic Service Manager
Vicki Morgan
Vicki Morgan
Senior Development Manager
Colin Smy
Colin Smy
Development Manager
Debra Davies
Debra Davies
Development Manager
Kathryn Morris
Kathryn Morris
Early Years Senior Manager
Dr Lauren Wolfenden
Dr Lauren Wolfenden
Development Manager
Melanie Farman
Melanie Farman
Development Manager
Our Better Start team is also backed by two Advisory Boards. These groups provide specialised knowledge and guidance on specific aspects of early childhood development, such as sustainability and development.

Growth Advisory Board

Business Growth Board park visit

Board Members attending recent Site Visit in Blackpool park

Name Specialism
Guy Strafford Chair
Christian George Private and public sector procurement advisor
David Croft Business growth and environmental, social and governance impact and sustainability advisor
Tom King Political, regulatory and sustainability advisor
Laura Simmonds Procurement and environmental, social and governance impact advisor
Alan Hartley Operational transformation advisor
Sue Adkins Social impact and third sector advisor
Jennie Galbraith Environmental, social and governance impact advisor
Louise Wild Business solutions and performance advisor
Mike Williamson Business transformation advisor

Expert Advisory Board

Name Role Organisation
Chris Cuthbert  Chair – Social Research Insitute University College London
Alan Stein Emeritus Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Oxford University
Ann Rowe Independent Consultant
Beckie Lang Chief Executive HENRY
Dr Cheryll Adams CBE Independent Consultant
Debbie Smith Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology and Health Psychologist The University of Manchester
Elaine Fulton Independent Consultant
Hilary Kennedy Chief Executive AVIG UK
Jean Gross CBE Independent Consultant
Julie Taylor Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery Birmingham University
Leon Feinstein Director Rees Centre, Oxford University
Paul Ramchandani LEGO Professor of Play in Education, Development and Learning Cambridge University
Pasco Fearon Director Centre for Family Research University of Cambridge
Sally Hogg Assistant Director, Programmes and Impact The Royal Foundation, Centre for Early Childhood
Ben Lewing Director Making Evidence Work