Yummy Tots Parent & Toddler Group provides a safe place for pre-school children to play and socialise, and their parents/carers to feel supported. The group is primarily to help people from the Wykin Estate in Hinckley, and surrounding areas. Wykin is a council estate and houses lone parents, families on benefits and low incomes.
The Group currently has over 70 children registered, and usually sees between 30-40 children attending each week. It relies completely on contributions and grants, and all the helpers are volunteers, giving up time each week to run the sessions, and during the week preparing craft activities.
Thanks to a grant of £600 from the John Laing Foundation, Yummy Tots Parent & Toddler Group was able to provide a range of toys for children from a deprived area, whose parents might not be able to afford to provide them for their children and who would therefore miss out on opportunities for creative play otherwise.
The grant purchased adjustable trestle tables, to allow the children to play with playdoh and undertake arts and crafts activities at their height. It also bought two trampolines for active play, a soft play ball pool, an easel for chalk drawing and magnets, and a selection of dressing up clothes, to provide a range of fun for all the children.
Arts and crafts are based around specific celebrations throughout the year including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter and Christmas. Once a month the Group puts on different activities such as face painting, dancing, bouncy castles, and will occasionally organise a day trip.
The Yummy Tots helper said: “We like to think we are making a difference for these kiddies, and it wouldn’t be possible without people like you. So thank you again.”
If you, your family or business would like to help local charitable and voluntary groups to continue their good work, please contact Katy Green at Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation on 0116 262 4916.
