Being a new parent can be a lonely time under normal circumstances, so for many these feelings were compounded during the pandemic.
Thankfully the majority of these are now fully back in action across the district.
And this week a new parent and baby group has launched at Ashville College in Harrogate.
The independent school is hosting the free sessions between 10am and 11am every Friday morning during term-time for children up to the age of two and their parents or grandparents.
The Baby Acorns group is meeting in Ashville’s Little Acorns cabin, located off Yew Tree Lane.
It is being run by Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep staff, and tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided. Looking ahead to the summer months, the school also aims to hold some outdoor events.
Charlotte Cryer, head of Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep, said:
“In the last two years the pandemic has severely affected opportunities for both parents and young children to socialise, with many baby groups being cancelled or restricted.
“The impact this has had on parents’ mental health should not be underestimated, and we hope that our Baby Acorns group can ease that anxiety for parents.
“It is a safe, comfortable space in which children can interact and play alongside our highly-experienced early years staff.”
Read more:
- Street party fees waived in North Yorkshire for Queen’s jubilee
- Mother Shipton’s delays reopening again due to landslide
We have put together a list of five other baby and toddler groups across the Harrogate district:
Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library – Knaresborough
Play sessions at the Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library.
A firm favourite in the district, the toy library’s play sessions currently run on Wednesdays and Fridays at St Mary’s Church, Knaresborough, from 10am until 11.30am.
Toys are set-up for children to access, while grown-ups can enjoy playing along and socialising with others. Sessions are £3.50, plus 50p per additional child.
The charity also offers a toy library where parents can pick toys via the online library to take home for two weeks before returning them.
The shelves are stacked high with doll houses, dinosaurs and board games
Stay and Play – Harrogate
Stay and Play is an fun parent and toddler group for pre-school children hosted at the Jennyfield Styan Community Centre.
There are lots of activities to entertain little ones, including toys, bikes, bouncy castle and games from 9.30am until 11.30am during term-time only.
Sessions are £2.50 per child and £1 for each additional child, including a snack and drink.
Tea and Tots – Boroughbridge
Ride-ons, slides, toys, colouring and refreshments feature at this baby and toddler group at St James’ Church.
Sessions take place from 1.30pm until 2.30pm every Wednesday during term-time for children up to age five.
Prices are £1 and 50p for additional children.
Little Fishes Tots Group – Nidderdale
This friendly group, based in Christ Church Community Centre, Darley, is run by members of Nidderdale Community Church.
Activities include play stations, a baby corner and a craft table. There is also snack time, nursery rhyme time and a bible story.
Sessions are £2 per family from 9.15am and 11.15am on Tuesdays.
Soft Play Toddler Fun – Ripon
A group for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups, held in the hall of Allhallowgate Methodist Church every Friday from 9.15am until 12.30pm.
There is soft play equipment for the little ones and coffee, tea and snacks for the adults.
Harrogate Toy Library receives funding for more baby classesHarrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library says classes for new parents has become more important following lockdown and with new funding it can offer more.
The charity received £1,307 from The National Lottery Community Fund and has had their venue hire prices covered by Chain Lane Community Hub until December.
The funding has helped the charity hold a second new parent class.
Play session worker, Rachael Bolton, says lockdown has isolated some new parents leaving them with out the usual opportunities to socialise and demand for spaces has increased. The library’s capacity is currently limited due to restrictions.
Play session worker, Rachael Bolton said:
“New parents can often feel alone at the beginning because it is all new and meeting new parents normalises it all because you have common experiences. But many have missed out on this over lockdown.
“This can be extremely isolating and we are really happy to be able to give this opportunity to the local community.”
Read more:
The baby and new parent classes on a Monday and Wednesday are held at Chain Lane Community Hub in Knaresborough.
An outdoor play session is also held for toddlers and older children at Knaresborough House on Tuesdays.
The charity also offers a toy library where parents can pick toys via the online library to take home for two weeks before returning them.
The shelves are stacked high with doll houses, dinosaurs and board games
Charity Corner: a library of toys for children to exploreTucked away down Church Lane in Knaresborough is every child’s dream: rooms full of toys to pick from.
Based in St Mary’s Church, the Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library has been around for decades but still remains unknown to some parents and guardians across the district.
Stacked high with doll houses, dinosaurs and board games, the library’s store room would make any child’s imagination run wild.
Before the pandemic, children could come in and pick two new toys to take home every other week. The toys were then returned and swapped for others.
It meant they can play with new and fun toys in a sustainable way.
Now, the toys are picked via the online library and picked up using click and collect.
The library has hundreds of toys ready to be enjoyed by local children.
For a £30 membership fee each year, the charity offers something for every child no matter their age, gender or interests, with the main aim being for them to have fun.
The charity also wants to help people who may be struggling to buy their children presents, especially this Christmas.
Lauren Rogerson has been working for the charity for three years. She said:
“If someone was struggling we’d try our best to help. We’re really passionate here about helping everyone in our community.”
Over lockdown, it has received toy donations and says it can put together bundles for children based on their age and interests to give as presents on Christmas Day.
A handful of the donations ready for new homes.
Lauren and her colleague, Rachael Bolton, run the toy library with a board of trustees. It is clear to see the pair are passionate about what they do.
Rachael added:
“We want to make sure out toys are educational too. Parents can pick up story packs with a book inside and toys to match or one of our pre-school packs.”
Read More:
- Harrogate family hit by childhood cancer urges charity support
- Ripon charity uses robot cats to help dementia sufferers
As well as the toy library the charity offers play sessions for parents and children, but these have been suspended due to covid.
Lauren identified a gap in social support for new mums during the pandemic. She set up a new mother and baby group to help women socialise and feel supported.
The group is running from Chain Lane Community Hub in Knaresborough and she hopes it will continue in the new year.
Prior to lockdown, the charity’s members enjoyed play sessions.
The charity buys most of its toys second-hand or from online sellers with a few being bought brand new. The duo are hoping to go from strength to strength and become a real community hub for parents and guardians.
To donate to the charity, click here, or to become a member click here.