Popular playgroup in plea for volunteers

Small Wonders - which runs at the Lifespring Centre in Clifton Street, Chapel Ash - needs extra hands to set up toys and equipment on Thursday afternoons and help out at its stay and play groups on Fridays.

Around 90 children, from newborns to school age, attend in either the morning or afternoon and volunteers can choose which session they wish to attend or stay for the whole day.

Duties include welcoming families to the centre, preparing fruit snacks and serving refreshments, as well as helping with craft activities and putting equipment away at the end of the day.

Ruth Huskisson, aged 47, from Penn, whose two children attended the playgroup from 2013 to 2017 and who has been a volunteer since 2016, said: “Fridays are great fun!

“It’s lovely to see the children playing with all the equipment, getting creative with craft activities, having some quiet time in the sensory room or having a drink and a snack with their parents and carers in the cafe area before getting together for a lively sing-song at the end of the session.

“Everyone is so friendly, it’s such a happy atmosphere and I love being part of such a wonderful group.”

The playgroup is currently supported by a team of 30 volunteers, aged 17 to 84, and helpers benefit from full training, as well as social activities and outings throughout the year.

For more information or to volunteer email info@oursmallwonders.com.