Pictured: Children and Families worker, Ellen Dann, has been running the toddler classes for almost 9 years.
By Amina Ali
A Nottinghamshire church which has run toddler classes for years has become a vital service to families.
St Giles Church in West Bridgford has run the toddler group Tiddlers every Thursday morning of term time for the last 20 years.
The church has become so crucial for families that health visitors in the area will signpost parents to them in hopes of giving parents and children a place to meet other people, socialise with them and make friends.
Ellen Dann, the Children and Families worker who runs the service, said this is happening “even more so now than ever.”
The service provides children with a range of toys, craft activities, singing and stories.
Ellen said: “We just try and offer a place of hospitality, and that’s really the heart of it, so that people feel welcome.”
She added: “As much as it’s for socialising the kids, it’s also really helpful for the parents to get out, meet other parents and chat.”
Rachel Markham, 33, who regularly uses the service with her daughter Nola, said: “It’s lovely to be able to get out of the house, have somewhere that I can go, where I know that Nola will have fun.
“Knowing that this is on, and I can just come and it doesn’t matter if I’ve had a bad morning, we can just get out,” she said.
Rachel added: “I can chat to other people if I have had a bad day, and she can just play and be happy and safe. She loves to come.”
Rachel’s mother-in-law, Jane Markham, volunteers for St Giles. She said: “I’ve been here three or four, and I really enjoy it here.”
Ellen encourages people from all cultures and religions to join the toddler classes, even if they have no interest in Christianity.
In fact, the National Churches Trust estimated that nearly 90 per cent of churches in the UK are used for community purposes.
Ellen said: “If you are interested in faith, you can ask, you’re welcome.
“But if you’re not, that’s absolutely fine. We are still here just for friendship and hospitality and to be a place in the community, and I think that is the absolute heart,’ Ellen said.
Those living in the West Bridgford area can sign up for Tiddler classes here.
Those living elsewhere can use the website Happity to find toddler classes near them.