Award of funding!
Wolves Play Cafe has been awarded £238,000 by The National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities Fund to deliver the Playful People, Playful Places Project, which is borne out of all of the engagement in playtimes, learnings and conversations with caregivers of early years children in the city over the last 5 years.
Our journey to get here
Beginning in 2018, with Mum and Daughter, Helen and Lisa, Wolves Play Cafe has now grown to a team of 8 staff who are local caregivers who’ve been to play sessions and are now a part of the team shaping the organisation and facilitating play sessions.
“The staff at Wolves Play Cafe, always make time to come over and speak to me and O.
Not every parent has the knowledge, resources or personal experiences of how to help and support their child, we’re all just trying our best. What I have observed from the ladies at Wolves Cafe is how they themselves are not only supporting the children, but are supporting us, the parents.”
Carys
Where can I play?
Play sessions are delivered across the city of Wolverhampton weekly at 3 main play locations, Gatis Community Space in Whitmore Reans, Boundary Way Community Garden in Warstones, All Saints Community Centre in All Saints. In addition to this a Play in the Park’ summer holiday programme across all 3 areas in our city parks.
What will the project do?
Playful People, Playful Places will deliver 525 Pay As You Feel play sessions across 3 areas of Wolverhampton over 3 years, equating to 1322 hours of vital early years play and friendly support spaces, benefitting 1440 under 7s across 4800 engagements, and 738 caregivers of under 7s across 2460 engagements.
“Thank you for everything you are bringing to the city – It’s so very needed and the whole team are so wonderful and friendly. I can definitely also say that it’s not just the kids that have benefitted from having Wolves Play Cafe , sometimes a listening ear, some kind words (and Louise’s soup) has definitely helped my week.”
Lauren
How can you get involved?
You can be involved in creating Playful Places across our city by:
- Coming along to play!
- Purchasing food or drink through our Orchard Cafe offer during play sessions
- Buying play resources and play packs through our online store or on-site shop
- Donating any amount at play sessions or through our website.
- By expressing interest in the Play For All team, to support the feedback of play sessions, be a part of the Playful People, Playful Places Board
- Help spread the word about Wolves Play Cafe! Bring your friends and families along for fun and friendly faces and share information in local groups and networks