Woodlands Community Development Trust set up our Little Baby Garden Group in April 2021 to provide vital help to new parents suffering from isolation during the pandemic. A year later we're so busy that we've added a second weekly session, along with monthly weekend playgroups.

Parents attending the group describe it as "a real lifeline" and "really friendly and welcoming."

Currently we only have around half the funding we need to employ a Family Support Worker to run the groups in 2023/4. We've set a new fundraising target of £3000 to match funding we will be donating from our reserves . Together we a small grant we have received from Hugh Fraser Foundation (£5000) this would be enough to keep the services going without having to cut back on our staff hours and frequency of the groups meeting.

Parents routinely tell us that the group is the highlight of the week, giving them a safe and friendly space to meet other parents with similar aged children. The groups have helped to foster vital friendships for parents who are isolated or struggling financially. There are no other equivalent group in the area. As the group is free, it's inclusive to parents on low incomes.

If you would like more information about our campaign and how your donation will make a difference, then please get in touch with nuala@woodlandscommunity.org.uk