Children are benefitting from new toys and play equipment thanks to a donation from our Homes Plus My Community Fund.    

We awarded £1,000 to Featherstone Parent & Toddler Group to help fund new toys and furniture. 

Each week, more than 10 parents bring their youngsters along to the group which is run entirely by volunteers. 

The group, which meets at the Featherstone and Hilton Community Centre, received the funding from our Homes Plus My Community Fund, which supports local community initiatives. 

Homes Plus customer Yvonne has run the parent and toddler group for nearly 20 years. On her day off from work, she welcomes children and their parents to the centre where they can play with toys, get involved in arts and crafts and parents can also enjoy a hot drink and a slice of toast.  

Yvonne said: “Our parent and toddler group is really popular in the local community and many of the parents who come here live in Homes Plus properties.  

“The parents always have such a great time with their youngsters, and we get such good feedback. 

“We rely on donations and thanks to this funding we have been able to buy new toys and we’re also going to be getting some new tables and chairs for the children. 

“It is great to see the parents having fun with their little ones, playing with the fantastic new toys that we have been able to purchase.” 

Yvonne has not increased the price of the playgroup since she began running it 19 years ago. The service costs just £1.50 per child and then just 50p for an additional sibling. 

Jodie brings her three-year-old daughter to the playgroup. She said: “my daughter is the youngest of three and I brought both her siblings here before they started school, so I’ve been coming here now for six years. All my kids have loved coming. 

“The grant funding was really needed; the group relies on donations and receives a lot of second-hand toys. We all look after the toys, but they still have marks and they’re not in perfect condition. 

“The kids really love the new toys and it’s really made a difference. 

“The playgroup offers such a vital service in this area, not only can the kids play but the parents also get free tea and coffee and even toast. 

“My daughter has always loved coming here, she’s always so excited.” 

The Homes Plus My Community Fund is delivered in partnership with Jewson. 

Sam Allcott is Director of Housing at Homes Plus and explained why we chose to support the group. She said: “We are delighted to be able to support Featherstone Parent & Toddler Group in this way and we are sure this donation will make a huge difference to the volunteers, parents and children who use the group. 

“It’s great to know that we are helping to make a positive difference to homes, lives and communities.” 

Learn more about the Homes Plus My Community Fund and apply for grants online at https://www.homesplus.co.uk/help-and-advice/the-my-community-fund/