Free sessions to help parents entertain their children and tackle social isolation are being funded by FCHO at two local community centres

Amy Brierly - Community Manager at Spark Oldham, Ben Thomas - Head of Community Services at FCHO and attendees Julie and Lyra Bardsley

Free sessions to help parents entertain their children and tackle social isolation are being funded by First Choice Home Oldham (FCHO) at two local community centres.

Children under five, plus their mums and dads, grandparents and carers, are all welcome at the Baby Boogies events taking place over the coming months.

The locations are the Crossley Centre in Chadderton and the Spring Meadows Family Hub in Littlemoor.

FCHO has given £5000 to social enterprise group Spark Oldham to deliver the singing, dancing and play activities, and is urging parents and carers to come along and get involved.

“Ensuring parents – many of them our customers – are able to access events where they can socialise their children and meet other parents is a good way to tackle social isolation, bring communities together and give support,” said FCHO head of community services Ben Thomas.

“Baby Boogies is now funded for an initial 13 weeks after it started last month. It is another way in which FCHO is strengthening our communities in its role as an anchor organisation here in Oldham and the surrounding area."

The events take place at Spring Meadows Family Hub on Mondays from 12.30 to 1.30pm and at the Crossley Centre on Tuesdays from 1.30 – 2.30pm.

Community manager at Spark Oldham Amy Brierley added: “Baby Boogies is all about bringing families together through music, movement and fun.

We're really thankful for the support from FCHO for funding the sessions and helping us to create spaces where people can connect.

“Early years is such an important stage of development and the sessions give children a fun, engaging space to build confidence, develop social skills and support language development.”

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