Frome families enjoy some half term February fun

LOCAL children and family support charity, Purple Elephant, delivered a series of play-based activities across the town during the recent half term.

A spokesperson for the charity says, “As everyone knows, this time of year can be a bit of a washout. With grey skies, cold weather and too much rain, keeping children warm and busy during the half-term holiday can be stressful. To ease the strain, Purple Elephant delivered a series of play-based activities across the town, aimed at making sure some of the area’s children most in need were able to enjoy special time-out with their parents and carers.

“We always aim to locate our holiday activities across all sides of the town, for accessibility, and this half-term was no exception. Using the Holy Trinity church hall, Frome Town FC’s event room and the Key Centre, children with additional needs and families struggling with some of life’s challenges in these difficult times, were treated to play-and-learn sessions of cooking and fun science experiments, as well as creating artwork for the upcoming Window Wanderland.

“In a home life where most adults are subsumed by their daily activities and pressures, Purple Elephant’s holiday sessions are designed to encourage children and their parents/carers to create, play and spend time together.

“These small-scale events are delivered by local, skilled providers whose task is to offer something both playful and educational as well as suitable for a wide age range. The sessions are offered in warm, safe, local community venues, with additional play resources for toddlers or those wishing to sit out; they are supported by both the charity’s own professional support workers and a team of amazing volunteers.”

The funding for the Holiday Activity programme comes from the Somerset Council Disabilities team and SASP (Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership) and, thanks to an ongoing partnership with Purple Elephant, all sessions include a professionally catered, healthy, hot lunch for everyone, provided by local charity Fair Frome.

However, with funding sources being under strain in the current financial climate, this vital Frome and area charity is also seeking local business sponsors of all sizes to help continue its work bringing joy into the lives of families facing disadvantage, be that through low income, poor mental health, additional needs and disabilities, housing or social isolation.

Businesses are sought for donations to the upcoming huge, open-to-all Frome Children’s Festival in the summer, as well as major corporate sponsors for its year-round work, plus selected volunteers to join the charity onsite at its activities. If you would like to know more about the range of services provided by Purple Elephant, or to offer your own support, the charity would love to hear from you.

Purple Elephant contact details can be found at www.PurpleElephant.org.uk