I went to my local Sure Start centre, and they put me on a parenting course. I learned things that might seem simple - that it was important to hug and love your child, and read to them. This might seem obvious, but it wasn't to me at the time.

My brother and sister are smarter than me. But I'm the most successful because I've been given opportunities that they never had.

If I hadn't had access to the vital support of my local Sure Start centre, I would never have had the help I - and my son - needed.

Angela Rayner Quotes