GRANT SUPPORTS LOCAL BABY AND TODDLER GROUP

A NORTH Yorkshire baby and toddler group aims to ensure that the cost-of-living crisis doesn’t lead to young families suffering social isolation.

Kirkby Baby and Toddler Group runs every Friday in St Augustine’s Church Hall and for just £3 youngsters can enjoy two hours stimulating play and a snack whilst parents get to meet up over a cuppa. For additional children up to the age of five the cost is just an extra 50p.

Now a grant from Broadacres’ Community Development Fund will ensure the group, based in the village near Stokesley, can top up their craft materials such as crayons, pens and paint and allow the children to keep being creative!

Group Leader Alex Forth said: “There are some excellent children’s parks and soft play centres in the area but there has been a playgroup in the village for years and it’s great that for now it can continue to run and isn’t too expensive for parents to attend.

 “This grant means we can restock our paints and other materials and continue to charge just £3 per adult and child to cover the heating, hire of hall and refreshments.”

The group attracts up to 30 children per session and hopes to reach out to others using social media but needs to continue to replenish stocks to do so.

“It can be hard when looking after children to find things to do and being on maternity leave can be isolating. I love running the group as it provides an opportunity for parents to socialise whilst knowing their children are safe, engaged in enriching activities and having fun which is very important,” said Alex.

The Broadacres Community Development Fund supports local organisations, groups, and projects in areas where Broadacres has homes. All grants are approved by the Association’s own residents, via a Community Development Fund Panel.

Broadacres resident Mags Crook, who is on the Panel, said: “It’s important that people in our communities do not become socially isolated so we were very pleased to be able to approve this grant for a group doing some great to help local families.”

People/organisations who would like to apply through the Community Development Fund can visit www.broadacres.org.uk/customer-area/getting-involved/community-development-fund to find out more.