A charity in Irlam is trying to raise £300 to create a sensory room and buy more soft-play equipment for its stay-and-play group.
Tiddly Winks , a non-profit organisation, is looking for donations from the local community to help fund the new space.
The volunteer-run stay-and-play group in Irlam is a place for the local community to bring babies and children to play with others and participate in activities and games.
Nina Bryson, who set up Tiddly Winks almost a year ago, said: “I had tried taking my little girl to soft play groups, different classes and everywhere we had tried in the area had been shut or was shutting down.
“I found there was nothing in the area for younger children to do so that’s when I thought to set up a play group.”
The group is for children but it also helps parents, giving them the chance to get out the house and meet other parents.
Nina said: “We have seen loads of new friendships form, and people can come and get advice and support. If you are feeling low one week, you can come and get picked up.”
The group also works closely with Citizen Advice and Healthy Improvement in Salford.
In addition Tiddly Winks frequently take: part in community activities, previously getting involved with Remembrance Day parades and Christmas fairs.
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Laying our poppy reef at the Remembrance Day parade ❤️❤️ #tiddlywinks #remembranceday #playgroup
The group use all profits made from contributions to buy toys, equipment and arrange guests.
Once a month the group arranges a special guest to come in for the session, including anything from magicians to reptile arks.
Nina explained how the guests help all different families: “For lower income families in the area or people that can’t really travel can still experience things that families who are maybe a bit better off or can travel a bit more get to go to.”
The group charges £3 per week, which helps pay for the new toys and special guests with all additional donations going towards the addition of the proposed sensory room.
It currently has a small tent used for this, but it is not big enough for more than one child and parent at a time and with an average of around 30 families attending each week, the need for the larger space has never been greater.
The space will hopefully feature blacked-out walls, bubble tanks and bean-bags. Nina says its addition will be particularly beneficial for children with special needs.
“It’s inviting to special needs children as it gives them somewhere to come as the closest one is in Alston near Warrington.”
To find out more about Tiddly Winks you can visit their Facebook page and to donate visit their JustGiving page.
Image Credit – Lily Harris
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