The National Children’s Centre (NCC) was established in Huddersfield in 1975 by the National Educational Research and Development Trust (NERDT). The Trust had been founded by Brian Jackson, co-author with Dennis Marsden of the groundbreaking book, Education and the Working Clases. The Trust's Honorary Vice Presidents were The RH Keith Joseph, MP and Lord Sainsbury. One of the Trustess was Dennis Healey MP. The NCC was established to be "a Multidisciplinary Centre - deliberately based outside London - where work on improving all aspects of childhood could be pursued. Sometimes this was to be through research, sometimes through innovative action, sometimes by informing the media or by discussing progress with politicians, administrators, or members of the many professions that touch on the field." Brian and NERDT enlisted the expertise of Hazel Wigmore, as Director (from setting up to 2001), and two other teachers who were trained with her at the then Huddersfield Polytechnic, John Cashman and Raymond Ball. Brian Jackson was a man of great energy who worked relentlessly to further various causes connected with the education and welfare of children. His imaginative and innovative ideas, combined with Hazel Wigmore's relentless energy and organisational skills,enabled the setting up of unusual practical schemes and research projects, the findings of which were disseminated nationally and internationally. The first home of the National Children's Centre was in Huddersfield at Longroyd Bridge, in a 1940s building (now listed) which straddles the river on long legs and was adjacent to a bus depot and workshop.
In 1974, Sonia Jackson, Brian's wife, had been involved in the producation of the first Action Register on Childminding, part of the National Research Project on Childminding, commissioned by the Social Science Research Council and run by Brian. It showed that although registered childminders cared for more children than all local authority, private or factory day nurseries put together, and had more influencce at this important stage of the child's growth than a working parent, only 1% of childminders were receiving any services or support at all. The survey also discovered large numbers of unregistered childminders. In 1974 responsibility for registering childminders was moved from health departments to the new Social Services departments. Based on findings from Brian's research - basically that childminders wanted the tools for the job, plus advice and support - regular groups were set up in the ground floor nursery at Longroyd Bridge. Transport for the women and children was provided by the NCC's minibus - it being rare for a woman to have her own car at that time, and public transport being difficult with more than one child. On offer were a toy and book library, loans of safety equipment, a bulk buying scheme, toy repair service and access to training. Local childminders, including Sheila Wenzel, who later became the chair of the Kirklees Childminders' Association, worked together with the NCC to improve services and conditions for childminders. Always aware of the power of television, Brian proposed to the BBC that "a television series with appropriate back-up would be one way of improving the quality of care offered to the young children of working mothers.” (NCC Quinquennial Report 1980) Other People's Children a 19 part series, was screened three times a week, first shown in 1977 and repeated in 1978. 700 viewing groups were set up around the country, and not confined to childminders or pre-school workers. The BBC published a supporting handbook, which was subsidised by the Health Education Council and distributed free by Social Services Departments to all registered childminders throughout the country. The NCC was closely involved in production of both the series and the handbook. In the final programme, the idea that the viewing groups or local childminders might get together to form a National Childminding Association led to the inauguration of this association in Birmingham Town Hall, later in 1977.
This first major project with Childminders was a wonderful example of how Brian and the NCC worked on a practical level to bring all those involved in a field of work, and from all the disciplines concerned, together to achieve change for the better.
In May 1977, the first ever Child Care Switchboard Experiment was launched. Funded by the Calouste Gulbenkain Foundation, it used NCC staff and the resources of local radio stations in 6 major UK cities and aimed to reduce the incidence of child abuse. Switchboards were set up, taking calls from anyone with concerns or questions about child care. Reassurance, advice and direct help was available from a team of professional advisers with access to a specialist data bank. The experiment was repeated in Australia in 1979, with a their Care For Kids Careline.
In 1976, the purchase of an ex Bradford Blue Double-decker, saw the launch of another innovative project - the Fundecker, "taking services into the community.” (NCC Quinquennial Report: 1980) Refurbished as mobile playroom downstairs, with mobile classroom/health centre facilities upstairs, the first Community bus was launched by Denis Healey, MP, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, in November 1977. The Fundecker was initially funded by a grant from the Joseph Roundtree Charitable Trust, and later grew into a national project in partnership with Forbuoys newsagents. NCC later ran the Junglebus, for many years, a beautifully painted bus, as a community resource.
Another area of important pioneering work was within the multi-cultural society in which the Centre was based. Due partly to Hazel Wigmore's strong links with local families, the Centre developed valuable and on-going relationships with the Afro-Caribbean, Asian and Chinese Communities in particular.
In 1975, Brian Jackson and Anne Garvey published their report “Chinese Children” - the first research into the educational needs of Chinese children in Britain. The first revelation was that the Chinese child population in Britain was very much larger than realised and that few of the children spoke English. Many Hong Kong Chinese had come to Britain in the 1960s to set up restaurants and take aways. Because they had spread themselves out to avoid competing with each other, they formed what the NCC came to call the Silent Minority - having no recognition, no power and no voice. They were rarely involved in any of the country's systems - law, social services, health, etc - preferring to sort out their own problems within their own community. The NCC offered advice and support, English as a second language classes and later, mother tongue classes. The children of restaurant owners were isolated from “normal” childhood patterns and were not being taught their mother tongue so as they grew older, could not communicate with the elders of the community.
During school term time activities included: regular nursery groups were held: regular childminders' support groups and other groups (eg teenage mothers) in the playroom downstairs. Munches: regular lunches on a Monday, cooked and served by the team of YTS Trainees. Invitations were sent out to all local professionals working with children, eg teachers, social workers, health workers,childminders, youth workers, etc. These informal lunches reflected an ethos that lay at the core of the NCC work - of the importance of liaison and co-operation, across services. “High-ups” from Education, Social Services and Health would mingle with their workers and new ideas and projects would often spring from their ”happenchance” meetings. Out of school term time: NCC ran a full programme all summer, including: Summer Playdays,where the Junglebus plus inflatables and other play equipment, and trained staff would descend on at less well equipped areas of Huddersfield to provide play opportunities. These days were always well advertised in advance and could attract large numbers of eager children. Give a Mum a Break: running over a week - for severely handicapped children, providing respite for parents and different activities for the children, in the summer holidays. Chinese Week (a week at Easter and in the summer): outings and activities for Chinese children and others referred by various organisations. Pantomime visit: annual visit to Pantomime, with free refreshments and sweets, for children who would otherwise never have been to live theatre.
Other specialist projects run from Longroyd Bridge included; 1977 Kirklees Enterprise for Youth (KEY) run in partnership with Dr Barnardo's, Church of England Children's Society and the Local Authority. 24 places were provided for juvenile court referrals, as an alternative to custody. A full five-day-a-week programme combined groupwork, counselling, work experience and education aimed at re-integration into school. Teenage Parenthood: research project investigating the mindset of teenage parents with a view to improving sex education and services available to teenage parents. Asian Naming Systems: research into the three main Asian naming systems (Hindi, Muslim and Sikh) with conferences and training sessions for professionals in Health, Education and Social Services. Furniture Aid Scheme: recycling unwanted furniture and making available at low cost for those in need. Probably one of the very first in the country. NCC worked with many organisations on joint projects. Funding was sought from various trusts, foundations, and organisations, government schemes, and of course, local fund raising through the running of a charity shop and other ongoing fundraising activities, including street collections and an annual Teddy Bears Picnic.
The Community Programme Scheme later provided valuable work experience and funding for local projects, such as: The continuation and growth of the Furniture Aid Scheme. One of the country's first Volunteer Bureau - linking organisations needing volunteers with those wanting to volunteer. A Nursery based in a Railway carriage on Huddersfield Station: the Playtrain. Absolv - advice, information and support for solvent abusers, parents and teachers. Action Stations: health and fitness testing.
The ex-British Rail building on New North Parade now known as Brian Jackson House became the second home of the NCC 1987 following intense negotiations and co-operation with British Rail. It was opened by the Duchess of Gloucester.
Hazel Wigmore and Brian Jackson gathered a strong group of Trustees and Vice Presidents to inform and support their work, including Professor Neville Butler, Margaret Carter, The RH Denis Healey, head of Huddersfield District Health Authority, Peter Wood, local MP Barry Sheerman, Win Wheeble (former chair of Social Services), Lady Ewart-Biggs, Dr Hugh Jackson (WHO), Lord Alan Sainsbury and Lord John Henniker. Trustees meetings were regularly held in the Houses of Parliament.
Brian was a passionate advocate for the appointment of a Minister for Children, who he felt would be in an ideal position to encourage liaison and the combining of services to ensure the best care and protection for children. He also felt that parenthood was one of the most difficult things to fulfil successfully, and wanted Parenthood Classes to be on every school's curriculum.
In January 2013 NCC changed its name to Yorkshire Children’s Centre to reflect the fact that it operated in communities across Yorkshire.