Grant helps rural toddler group

Published by Frances Griss for Dale & Valley Homes in Housing and also in Communities, Education

Playtime will be more fun for toddlers in upper Weardale thanks to a grant from the Better Homes, Better Lives fund.

New mini tables and chairs, craft equipment and a carpet for a play area have been bought by the fund for the Parent and Toddler Group inSt John’s Chapel in County Durham.

The group, which has been running for many years, needed the new equipment for its weekly sessions in Barrington Village Hall.

Parent Kate Monk said: “When Alex was born basically I didn’t know anybody and wouldn’t have done if it wasn’t for this.”

Fellow parent Donna Jameson added: “I have been coming for 15 years since my eldest was born. It is a life line.”

The group received £250 towards the cost of the new equipment from the fund, which is run by Dale & Valley Homes with contributions from its partners Gentoo and Esh Property Services.

Colin Stockwell, chairman of Dale & Valley Homes, said: “Groups like this are a valuable support to young families, especially in areas where other services are thin on the ground. We hope they have many years of good use from their new equipment.”

Information about the Better Homes, Better Lives fund is available from Dale & Valley Homes on 0800 0830 333.