Hazel Bintley, a leader with Bishop’s Stortford Baptist Church playgroup Toddlers & Co, reflects on its 30-year background…
In 1992 a team of mom and dad from Bishop’s Stortford Baptist Church saw the require for a playgroup for their kids and some others in the neighborhood. As a outcome, in June of that year, Toddlers & Co was launched.
The team satisfied on a Thursday early morning at the Baptist church corridor in Portland Road (now a day nursery). Desire for areas greater, and in January 2004 a Tuesday morning session was extra.
In September 2006 a Wednesday morning fall-in session started at the newly-crafted Havers Neighborhood Centre. This team continued till the 2020 Covid lockdown.
The Tuesday and Thursday groups relocated to the new Baptist Church Centre in Twyford Road in September 2012 and continue on to be very well attended and nicely regarded.
Despite the fact that there have been a lot of changes around the yrs, we keep on to be inspired by our perception that each individual baby and adult is distinctive and loved by God, and we want everyone who arrives to Toddlers & Co to know that.
Our main aims are welcoming and supplying friendship to anyone who arrives, in a risk-free and pleased environment, and have remained the exact.
Volunteer leaders, a modest donation fairly than expenses, and snack time for the kids and a cup of tea for carers have been regular options of the teams.
Carers normally comment how awesome it is to have a sizzling consume manufactured for you. Several joys and sorrows have been shared about coffee, encouragement presented and friendships made.
A person mum, who was a newcomer to Stortford, explained to us: “We scarcely realized any one, and playgroup has aided us massively with generating mates and for my son to mingle with other kids. Thank you.”
Singing time and crafts are a weekly occurrence and are themed all-around seasonal gatherings. Xmas is generally a emphasize, with a Nativity perform and social gathering. Just one boy or girl typically reminded his mum “We observed newborn Jesus in there” when he handed the hall exactly where the Nativity was held.
The summer time phrase contains an outing, and we have been to parks, a children’s farm, taken coach rides and other pleasurable routines.
We consider to remember that some others are not generally as fortuitous as ourselves and we often assistance charities that are suitable to our family members, or nationwide events this kind of as Purple Nose Working day.
The Covid-19 pandemic presented a huge challenge for us as we tried to continue to keep in contact with our families. When assembly was not doable, we held weekly online singing moments and often posted activity packs, birthday cards and tiny treats to our people to retain everybody going. We all valued our groups much more than ever when we were ready to satisfy all over again.
We are so grateful to have had 30 a long time of exciting, friendship and aid that we are celebrating with a exclusive services at Bishop’s Stortford Baptist Church on Sunday June 12 at 10.30am. There will be singing, activities, recollections and cake (usually significant to us!).
If you have ever been connected with us as a helper, carer, father or mother or toddler, then we’d adore to have you with us.
* For more specifics or data about our groups, e mail toddlers@stortfordbaptist.org.
