St Peter's Church, Yoxford, were able to successfully start up a parent and carers stay and play toddler group - Pebbles at St Peter’s Yoxford - thanks to the Growing in God growth fund.
The grant was used to pay for a carpet, soft play set, nappy bin and accessories, baby bouncers, baby gym, storage boxes and other essential equipment. Part of the grant was also used to fund marketing and promotion for the group, including a large banner for outside display, leaflets, business cards and logo stickers for the church's mugs.
It was felt that as the village of Yoxford did not have a toddler group, Pebbles would be both a welcoming resource and a fantastic opportunity for outreach to the local community. Once the formalities were in place, the group was opened just after Easter. Whilst attendance was slow at first, over the summer term 5 different families attended. The final week before the summer holidays, Pebbles hosted a teddy bears picnic and where families attended and met for the first time. Some of the families are now regularly attending the church's monthly Family@church service.
The church plans on offering another session slot in the autumn term to see if more families will attend.
One mum who attends said:
“ have attended Pebbles at St Peters church in Yoxford a couple of times. I felt very welcomed by Lynette, Barbara and Lynne. My son is only 3 months old but he loved seeing other children playing with the toys and it was lovely for me to meet a couple other parents at the church. The range of toys and facilities are wonderful and I look forward to coming along to Pebbles in the future.”
Not only has the offer of this group benefitted young families in our local community it has also provided an added bonus of establishing and growing relationships within the church members as they serve and volunteer alongside one another.
