Stay and Play this Summer

“All the clubs close down in the holidays!” “It’s hard to find things to do” “Everything is so expensive over the summer.”

These are the comments I used to hear every year at Building Blocks. Even Building Blocks closes in the holidays to give team members a break.

Wesleys is popular all year round with our families but especially in the holidays, the children’s corner often fills up.

We decided to open up the space in the front of church to create a children’s play area for anyone looking for somewhere to take their children in the holidays. The church provides the space and the carers ‘stay and play’ with their children.

Stay and Play will take place in the church every Friday in the school holidays starting on 3 August, during Wesley’s opening times 10-12.

Part of the church is set up with LEGO for school-aged children and another section is set up for pre-schoolers to play. This is a place where anyone can drop in and make use of the space provided. It is free of charge with the option to pay for refreshments in Wesleys. The door through to Wesleys is open and take away drinks can be brought into the church where the children are playing, creating a fun sociable environment for both the adults and children.

Our position on the High Street means that we always have passers-by joining in the fun when they see what’s going on in the church.

It is wonderful to see so many grateful parents, carers and childminders feeling relaxed and welcome in the church building.  Previously we have hosted around 30 adults a session and often more as there is a steady flow through the morning.

If you would like to join in for part or all of the morning welcoming and chatting to families, helping to set up or clear away do get in touch. 

Sally Hammond