A community-run playgroup in Thorley Park which has been “handed down” by way of the generations is vulnerable to closing except extra folks volunteer to assist preserve it going.
Thorley Manor Playgroup was began within the late Nineteen Eighties however has struggled by way of the pandemic with dwindling helpers to fill very important committee roles.
Chair Sophie Muir, whose personal three children aged seven, 5 and 4 all attended, mentioned that she can be “devastated” to see it shut and urged younger households to affix their welcoming and casual gatherings twice every week at Thorley Neighborhood Centre, close to the Harvest Moon pub off Friedberg Avenue.
“It is a community-run group which was established about 35 years in the past and has simply been handed down from technology to technology,” she mentioned. “We have at all times had new folks come and be part of the committee however in recent times there have not been many coming ahead.
“We have thought of closing as a result of we could not discover these essential roles and it has been fairly a problem to maintain it going. We’re a registered charity that is run by volunteers, however possibly it is a service extra individuals are ready to pay for now fairly than assist out?”
Sophie added: “It is such an exquisite factor to nonetheless exist that is run by the group. It is not only for the children, it is for the dad and mom, grandparents, childminders – anyone can come alongside. Individuals have made associates by way of the playgroup – I’ve folks in my social group now who I met by way of the playgroup.
“It additionally offers a number of psychological well being help for folks. Being in Bishop’s Stortford, we’ve got a number of households that transfer right here and do not know anybody, so it has been a extremely vital a part of welcoming these dad and mom. It is by no means ‘cliquey’, we’re right here for anyone struggling or feeling lonely at residence too. It might be devastating to have to shut when it is touched so many individuals.”
The group presents tea and occasional at its play periods, held each Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9.45am to 11.15am, together with throughout college holidays. It has craft areas, ride-on toys, building toys, a dressing-up field and a safe outdoors play house with a fort, home and slide.
It holds social occasions, and on a weekly foundation it’s run by Sophie, who has been chair for seven years, and 4 different common volunteers. She mentioned anybody was welcome to affix to assist run the playgroup in addition to to plan forward, significantly with celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
To search out out extra or enquire about volunteering, contact Sophie by way of the group’s Fb web page.
