A Nantwich church which provides childcare while parents shop in the town has received a National Lottery grant of £18,400 to open each Saturday.
Parents/carers and primary school aged children will benefit from the funding awarded to “Drop n Shop” which runs from Nantwich Methodist Church on Hospital Street.
The scheme currently runs on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 10am to midday and offers activities for primary school aged children for £2 with 20p for additional refreshments.
Activities include arts and crafts, table football, small pool table, air hockey, a selection of games and a model railway.
Volunteers support the children as needed and safeguarding policy and procedures are in place.
Heather Durant, founder of Drop n Shop, has always aimed to provide an inclusive provision which all children can access whether they have individual SEND needs or not.
She became aware of a shortage of childcare provision which is fully inclusive and welcomes all children, including those with neurodiverse needs which the local authority has identified as a gap in Nantwich.
Lottery money will now help recruit two paid leaders with childcare and SEND experience to develop the facility.
It will enable weekly opening and the equipment needed for a sensory room adjoining the main hall.
Training for all staff, both paid and voluntary, and a bi-monthly drop in for parents/carers to discuss any concerns they may have about their children’s SEND needs.
Heather said: “After working with Drop n Shop for so long, it’s great to see the potential for it to expand and become fully inclusive due to the funding from the National Lottery.
“This will enable us to welcome more children who need the regular weekly routine of attending, and who may need to access the sensory room should they become overwhelmed at any point during the session.”
Suzy Furlong, parent said: “Every Saturday morning will now be filled with excitement, structure and fun all thanks to Drop n Shop and the amazing team.”
Crewe & Nantwich MP Connor Naismith, said: “It’s fantastic to see a local organisation being recognised for the work they do in the community.
“Childcare is a huge cost for many parents and with the Drop N Shop right in the centre of Nantwich, its expansion will be a helping hand to more families managing their weekend schedules.
“This funding couldn’t have come at a better time for the Drop N Shop.
“I know they’ll put the money to good use and have big plans to increase their SEND provision to reach more children.
“Congratulations to Heather, Lorraine and the rest of the team on securing the grant.”
(Pic: Lorraine Evans, Drop n Shop manager, shows new logo designed by children to local MP Connor Naismith)
that is a wonderful idea for children with neurodiverse needs it will give the parents a brief respite and will help their mental health enormously, I do hope parents who can afford may offer more than £2 a visit so the idea can be rolled out for more Saturdays as caring for a child on the spectrum is a really tough call