CREDITON’S independent, not-for-profit bookshop is celebrating after being awarded National Lottery funding to support the provision of free “Playtime” sessions for local children and their carers.
Sessions are part of The Bookery’s wider outreach programme and take place in the new Community Events Room at the bookshop.
The money will be used to increase the number of sessions available and provide more resources.
“Playtime” sessions, which are led by members of The Bookery staff with experience in Early Years provision and children’s books, have been running since November 2023 and are offered to families who enjoy and benefit from a small, supportive group with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
All of the participants, when asked for feedback, have said that that is why they go along.
The weekly sessions provide children with opportunities for creative play, music-making and messy crafts (painting, collage, gloop, clay modelling, etc) with free refreshments provided.
Children are also given a book bag and can borrow a book to take home each week. The sessions allow children to develop their social and language skills whilst having fun and making new friends.
The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will see sessions increase to twice a week.
At the same time, the group will be able to further develop its links with local children’s services such as speech and language therapy.
Kate Tucker, staff member at The Bookery who delivers “Playtime” sessions, says: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.
“Now, thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to press on with our plans to increase the number of Playtime sessions available to local children and their carers. This is important because it helps families build relationships with others with young children and further develop a supportive circle of friends and peers.”
Spaces at “Playtime” sessions are limited, but if you are interested and think your child could benefit from a small-group environment get in touch with Kate Tucker by emailing: [email protected] .
The National Lottery Community Fund recently launched its new strategy: “It starts with community”, which will underpin its efforts to distribute at least £4 billion of National Lottery funding by 2030.
As part of this, the funder has four key missions, which are to support communities to come together, be environmentally sustainable, help children and young people thrive and enable people to live healthier lives.
National Lottery players raise more than £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. Thanks to them, last year The National Lottery Community Fund was able to distribute over half a billion pounds (£615.4 million) of life-changing funding to communities.
To find out more visit: www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk .