Little Cherubs is a parent and toddler group which was established in September 2019 by parents residing on the base. As a volunteer-based group, it is reliant on funding to boost what the setting offers to the 20 children who regularly attend the twice weekly sessions (when the Government’s Coronavirus restrictions allow).
Each session is themed to provide an educational hook such as food, animals or the seasons. It then follows a basic structure of a welcome, a main activity (such as crafts or reading) and ends with singing.
The main activity however is where Little Cherubs have needed support. Thanks to a donation from Cala Homes of £500 last year, the volunteers have been able to purchase trough trays for messy play and lava lamps for quieter sessions. The items have added a sensory element which has massively enhanced the environment for the attending service children.
The air base once featured a similar playgroup; but this ceased in early 2019 when the tots graduated to preschool, with the parents running the group moving on to age-related volunteering activities.
Meg Wickett, Community Development Officer at RAF Benson, comments: “Rallying fresh volunteers and local support to set up a new playgroup was crucial for the base. Not only does Little Cherubs offer the little children here an enriching experience and the chance to interact with other children, but it also provides partners of deployed personnel the opportunity to meet people and socialise; this is vitally important for those who live away from extended family support networks.
“We’re very grateful to Cala for its support. We purchased the sensory equipment back in March 2020 but were only able to introduce the children to the new kit during the back end of the year when restrictions had eased, having been forced to close during the first national lockdown. Being closed again now, the group is greatly missed but it’s comforting to know we can offer fun activities such as messy play when the current lockdown ends.”
Cala Homes is building new homes locally at Hopefield Grange in Benson and Carmel Meadows in Wallingford. Regional sales and marketing director Stala Thomson comments: “Cala is committed to giving back to the communities in which we build and to supporting valued local groups, just like Little Cherubs. We were so pleased to see the playgroup open again, if only for a limited time, and we hope the children can take full advantage of the new sensory equipment in the near future.”
Cala is currently offering a range of four and five bedroom homes with Merlin Gardens at Hopefield Grange, as well as a collection of four bedroom family properties at Carmel Meadows. Both developments have special discounts for current and retired members of the Regular or Reserve UK Armed Forces.
For more information visit www.cala.co.uk.
