I was really keen to start a Mumbler playgroup of some kind as it’s such a lovely and important thing to have places to go to meet other parents, be part of a community and to get out of the house! I then saw the Channel 4 programme about the nursery in an old people’s home and thought how incredible this would be in Oxford. As far as I was aware there wasn’t a playgroup like that here already.
I soon came across a group of mums online who were keen to do the same and we decided it would be a good idea to run a trial first, with just us and few friends, to see how it would work. We ran this at The Lady Nuffield Home in Summertown just before Christmas. We sang Christmas carols led by Bella from Raise Your Voice Choir and filled the middle of the room with toys and colouring in for the children.
Everyone really enjoyed it! We were made so welcome, and the kids liked having somewhere new to play and my son liked being read to by the residents. My baby got non stop cuddles which was brilliant for him as often at home and at playgroups he has to make do with a bouncer while I get on with things! The residents looked as though they really liked the cuddles with the baby, and spending time with the older kids as well. When I went back a few days later to collect something, I was told that the residents had been talking about it loads, which was so lovely to hear. It was a really special morning.
We are now planning to run a monthly playgroup at the Isis Care Home in Cowley with the first one being on Friday 1st February 10.30-12. I’m really excited to make this a regular group and for the residents and families to get to know each other over time. Each session will have singing and a craft activity. It will be a free drop-in playgroup, with a £1 suggested donation to go towards the free tea and coffee and craft activity.
For anyone wanting more information about Nippers and Slippers, I will be posting about the event on the Oxford Mumbler facebook page and here on this website.
January 2019
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