James Street Parent & Toddler Group

A report by helper Alison Baker

This lively group runs in James Street Church, James Street which is a little road off St Mary's Street by the Golden Grove estate. It has been running since September 2007 on Thursday mornings, 9.30 am – 11.30am during school terms. It is just 10p per session per parent.

We have lots of really great toys and equipment which has been either donated from supporters or which we have bought with a generous grant given by the government!

From the start I just went along to see how I got on. Then after a few weeks I felt that I would definitely like to commit to the team. I joined the team of 6 ladies who organise and run the group then later another lady joined to make us a team of 7. We each have name badges...our names are Carolyn, Di, Kathy, Jenny, Carol-Ann, Ellie and myself, Alison. Graham also helps us with getting equipment out of the container and sometimes with setting things up like the ball pool or the bouncy castle.

I was rather nervous about joining the team as I didn't regard myself as particularly qualified to work with pre school children. However, with support from the others I settled in well and got into it. We arrive early to set up the room then we have a hot drink and pray together along with the team from the coffee shop called Cafe Plus which runs in the other room from 10.30am to 1.00pm. We pray for the morning's activities and we pray for each other too. Some weeks one of us cannot make it for various reasons but we are all committed to the team and make every effort to be there every week. I have only missed a few weeks in the last 2 terms. On those occasions I tried to let Carolyn or Di know in advance so they were not left in the lurch.

At 9.30 onwards the children and parents arrive. I have got to know a lot of their names and I think they are pleased to see me! I am sometimes slightly overwhelmed by all the people in the room and so I can be quite quiet but I like to sit with the children while they are playing. I keep an eye on their safety and play with them, focusing on different ones in turn and glance up every now and again to check all is well in the rest of the room. At the beginning when a child is new of course they are very shy and not that talkative but gradually as they keep coming to the group they gain confidence. Certain children really like to chat or seem very at ease with me which is really nice. I have become their friend! Team members also like to sit and chat to the parents and we have started to build friendships which is great.

So I am really pleased that last September I took that step to try it out. It's a fun and fulfilling activity to be involved with!

At the end of the Spring term we lost Kathy, Ellie and Carol-Ann due to other commitments that they had so now I would like to ask anyone out there who is reading this to consider if they would like to come along for a session to visit if you are free on a Thursday morning. You could see what it is like and decide if you would like to join our friendly team! You can be any age, male or female, single or married, with or without children. You could come at 9am for a hot drink and prayer time. We'd love to see you.