We were glad to be back to face-to-face outdoor sessions at our family support groups after Easter, following three and a half months on Zoom.
The sessions have been well attended in both Buntingford and Royston. Adults and children were pleased to see each other and offered a warm welcome to new families who joined us for the first time. We are looking forward to seeing them on a regular basis and getting to know each other better.
Our regulars at Royston were happy to be back on familiar territory whilst the children at our Buntingford group have spent a lot of time exploring their new surroundings and looking for ways to escape!
As well as lots of play opportunities for the children giving them the chance to mix with others for the first time in months; new mums have been able to chat with other group members and to share stories about the joys and tribulations of parenthood. As always, our lovely volunteers have been on hand to support and encourage parents and children with a listening ear, gentle guidance and lots of play to ensure everyone can feel safe and welcome.
The unreliable spring weather has brought its challenges as we have switched from sunscreen to raincoats to winter warmers in the space of three weeks. This has not deterred our families who have braved the conditions and made the best of the activities on offer and seized the opportunity to socialise and to offer each other peer support.
Activities for the children have included, bricks, puzzles, ride-on and push-along toys, cars, garage, farm and lots more. Every session ends with a group sing along often with musical instruments to encourage listening and language skills as well as plenty of physical actions.
Parents and volunteers have expressed their gratitude for the return of our face-to-face sessions and commented on how much they missed getting together. This term has got off to a great start with plenty of goodwill and messages of thanks.
