A charity will be forced to stop running ‘lifeline’ children’s play sessions unless it can raise £10,000 for an outdoor shelter.

Canterbury & District Early Years Project (CDEYP) has supported dozens of families through “stay and play” groups since the pandemic began.

But as winter looms and the temperature drops, the charity is urgently raising money for a sheltered outdoor space, so the vital sessions - which cannot be held indoors due to Covid-19 restrictions - can keep running.

During the first lockdown, the CDEYP identified an urgent need for services to help support families through the tricky time.

It launched outdoor play sessions at its Poets Corner centre in South Street, Canterbury, to give parents and children the chance to socialise.

Manager Jennie Thompson said: “A lot of children’s centres aren’t open at the moment, so a lot of families are accessing our services.

“There have been so many babies born during the pandemic, and of course those mothers haven’t got the support that they really do need.

“There is a need for a service for families to take their children to to socialise.”

The groups have rapidly grown in popularity, and are now attended by about 60 children from birth to school age every week.

And Ms Thompson says it is crucial the service continues to run during the second lockdown and beyond.

“We have to,” she said. “There are so many families that really do not have any other outlet or support.

“At the moment the children wear wellies and raincoats, but when the weather is terrible it’s just impossible to have a group outside. We’ve had to cancel some groups because of the weather.

“So we need to raise about £10,000 for a covered area, to keep the groups going during winter.

“It would be so much better - that way if it rains or even if it’s snowing they’d have quite a large area to be in.”

Parents have told how the play sessions have helped them through the difficult pandemic period.

One said: “CDEYP services have been invaluable throughout lockdown.

“The outdoor groups have been our saviour! Toddlers and babies seem to have been forgotten in regard to groups and Poet’s being open for even these small groups is an absolute life-saver for those with toddlers at home.”

Another mum said: “They have seen us through some very tough times. Not only do we feel safe, it’s also fun for the kids.”

Social distancing measures are observed throughout the sessions.

“You can have 30 families that won’t be anywhere near each other,” said Ms Thompson. “It’s all outside, and we have sanitising stations.

“We’re now having two one-and-a-half hour stay and play groups on Wednesday, with a break in-between so we can clean and rotate the toys.

“But because of the need for these groups, we’re also looking to do them on Thursday too.”

Ms Thompson says the charity is also keen to hear from any tradespeople who would be willing to donate their time towards construction.

For more details of the centre's fundraising events and for information on how you can support its efforts, visit Canterbury and District Early Years Project's page on Facebook.

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