THOUSANDS of anguished mums have launched a bid to stop widespread cuts to children's centres across Worcestershire - saying their kid's futures are at stake.
The Worcestershire Mums Network, which has 3,000 members on Facebook, has hit out at council chiefs looking to slash funding to 32 sites.
In a powerful intervention, it says Worcestershire County Council is seeking to "scrimp and save" on a vital parental service, "causing detriment to our children's futures".
The Worcester News first revealed last week how County Hall intends to cut funding to the facilities from £4.5 million a year to £3 million.
It insists no centres will be closed under the proposal, with schools and childcare organisations due to take them over from October.
But mums across the county say the cuts, which will mean service reductions in around 17 of the sites, are too deep to stomach.
A petition has been launched by the network, called 'Save our children's centres', which already has around 500 signatures.
Worcester mum Siani Driver, who founded the network, is parent to Rosie, aged three and pregnant with another.
"I've been using my local children's centres since my first pregnancy three years ago," she said.
"I attended the free antenatal classes, then baby and toddler groups, breastfeeding support and the baby sensory classes.
"I strongly feel the services provided by the centres offer a preventative measure to support families before they fall into dire straits.
"They are accessible, local, friendly and affordable - they help us to be better parents in an era where the wider family is spread far and wide.
"They are there with that support and advice that is lacking elsewhere for many."
The mum, who lives near Fort Royal Park, added: "Don't cut these services - if it does happen parents will suffer, children will suffer and the community will suffer as more families will struggle."
Fellow mum Penny Broderick, parent to daughter Iona, aged eight, runs the Malvern branch of the county's nappy advisory service and says she "relies on children's centres".
"We've helped convert over 500 families to cloth nappies in the last six years, saving the council and residents over 400 tonnes of landfill," she said.
"As a free service we can't afford to hire rooms to do demonstrations or for loaning nappy kits, so the centres are vital."
Mum Lisa-Marie Vaughan, of St John's, has been using Worcester's Saffron Centre since her son, now 18 months old, hit 10 weeks.
She said: "I fear this will be a massive backwards step."
St John's mum Em Pick, a single mum with two children, three-year-old Alexia-Rose and Luca, two, said: "I think it's disgraceful - I highly disagree with these cuts as it is amazing how much they have to offer."
The county council has reiterated that no sites will shut, and insists the services in place will focus for those "most in need".
A council spokesman said: "We are aware of this petition and will respond when it is submitted."
The issue was also discussed at a county council cabinet meeting two days ago, where the leadership insisted its strategy was correct.
"It's well-documented that the local authority has significant financial challenges," he said.
"The intention is to work with these new providers to deliver the new ways of working."
He said "unlike many other local authorities" County Hall is not closing any children's centres down, and is "committed to using these purpose-built buildings to give children the best start in life".
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