NEWS EXTRA

‘Costly love is vital’ parent and toddler group leaders urged

More than 500 community workers from across the UK attended the Playtime National Conference for parent and toddler group leaders in Derby recently.

Delegates at the conference, organised by national charity Care for the Family, were reminded how vital parent and toddler groups are for the community and received a fresh vision for working with thousands of families across the UK.

Lynn Jack, Playtime Co-ordinator, challenged parent and toddler group leaders to connect with their local communities by providing real, practical care. However, she also warned delegates that "this level of caring costs".

Many were visibly moved as Lynn shared from her own experience as a group leader providing much-needed support for a young mother with a terminal illness. Lynn concluded by telling delegates that: "Loving with cost can transform our lives as well as the lives of those coming to our groups."

Group leaders representing the major Christian denominations in the UK attended the conference. Fiona, from Sheffield runs a parent and toddler group at St Thomas' inter-denominational church in the city.

"Playtime is fantastic," she said. "There's nothing else as good out there. It's great to come to this conference and hear new ideas."

Delegates at the Playtime Conference heard from Mark and Su Chester about initiatives to involve fathers in parent and toddler groups. In the afternoon, Paula Pridham and Andy Croall presented insights into expanding the work of parent and toddler groups and team-building. The Conference also saw the launch of "Essential Family Issues", Care for the Family's brand new resource covering difficult life situations including miscarriage, infertility and the loss of a child.

In her closing address, Lynn announced that further conferences for parent and toddler group leaders are being planned for 2005. "This will enable us to meet people on a more personal basis," explained Lynn. "As we take Playtime forward, we want to meet the needs of group leaders in a dynamic and flexible way."

• For more information about Playtime, Care for the Family's regular newsletter for parent and toddler group leaders, contact Care for the Family, PO Box 488, Cardiff, CF15 7YY, or phone (029) 2081 0800 or register online at www.care-for-the-family.org.uk

 

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