A warm welcome

BABY AND TODDLER GROUPS

A warm welcome

Alliance early years development manager Alison Heseltine shares information on being a family-friendly warm space in winter

Alison works as an early years development manager at the Alliance, supporting families and educators.

Last winter, many families struggled with their energy costs. Early signs indicate that this winter will be no different, with the most vulnerable households set to experience fuel poverty once again. A survey by National Energy Action (NEA) has estimated that a third of British adults will struggle to pay their heating bills this winter without government support – and the phrase “to heat or to eat” is once again being heard.

Baby and toddler groups are often at the heart of their communities, providing a safe and welcoming space each week for families with young children, and are therefore ideally placed to consider becoming a warm space.

The idea behind warm spaces is that they welcome everyone without judgement and operate in existing community venues – two key elements that baby and toddler groups already fulfil. In addition, baby and toddler groups have always recognised the importance of a place for families with a caring approach that respects the diversity of their community, alongside providing appropriate play opportunities, a chance to connect with others and to build lifelong friendships.

Some parents and carers with very young children may feel anxious about going to a warm space primarily designed for adults, as they may be unsure if there will be space to play or if they’ll disturb others – but a baby and toddler group experienced in supporting them can remove these fears and worries.

If you’re considering becoming a family-friendly warm space, here are some key questions to ask yourself:

What do your families need from your warm space, and what you can offer in support?

Is there an option of extending your opening hours or perhaps even running extra sessions?

Will you need to recruit and train more volunteers to help to staff your sessions?

Do you have connections with other organisations providing additional support that you could either signpost families to or invite along to your sessions, such as local food banks, debt counselling services, the local baby bank, or citizens’ advice?

Would you be able to offer free sessions to your most vulnerable families?

Is there funding that you could apply for help to cover any additional costs, or can you work in partnership with other groups in your local area?

Could a local business be approached to support with resources or costs?

Would some of the families that already attend your sessions be willing to take on roles such as promoting the warm space and welcoming new families?

Is there a local directory of warm spaces that you could register with to help let families know that you are there for them?

Poverty can bring isolation and loneliness, both of which often negatively impact people’s wellbeing; warm spaces are about making sure that everyone has somewhere to go, a friendly face to turn to for help dealing with challenges and to know that they are not alone.

Baby and toddler groups have a long tradition of supporting and helping families in their communities, ensuring that they can start building connections and friendships while sharing their experiences of being a parent or carer. Taking just a few simple steps and becoming a warm space could make a huge difference for families in these difficult times.

The Alliance's Baby and Toddler Toolkit helps group leaders reflect on the service they offer to families, including ways to extend an inclusive and welcoming environment for all alongside building connections to other community resources.

If you would like to know more, please visit: bit.ly/U5ND_BTtoolkit.

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