THE Early Birds Club is set to start the week commencing Monday 8th May, as reported last month. So far there has been a good response to the children's breakfast club which is being run daily on schooldays at Merkinch Community Centre, with the help of volunteers.

Everyone agrees that a good breakfast gives your child the best possible start to their day, and a good foundation for their future health. Good eating patterns and tooth-brushing habits are invaluable things to acquire at an early age.

The Early Birds Club is a New Community Schools project: this is a network of health and education professionals dedicated to improving the health and well–being of all in the school community. Merkinch Primary is one of seven schools grouped together, the others being Inverness High, St Joseph's, Bishop Eden's, Central and Dalneigh Primaries and Merkinch Nursery.

Initially based at Merkinch, since the Easter holidays the project team has moved to Inverness High. The team consists of: Integration manager, Colin Macaulay; school nurse Morag Campbell and her assistant Catriona Vernal; social worker Mairi Holmes; community education worker Karen McGraw; and administrative assistant Sheila Ross.

Morag Campbell told News & Views, "There is still room for any children who would like to come but didn't apply earlier. And we'd like to hear from any more volunteers who would like to come and help!"