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Jumpstart Kidz play sessions saved by funding

Jumpstart Kidz have confirmed that their play sessions for pre-school children will continue for another year. Grants received from various sources, including Children in Need, mean that Jumpstart Kidz can afford to continue to run their affordable soft play sessions this year. The charity had been hit hard by the recession and was facing possible closure of key sessions. They rely heavily on grants to fund their service and many grant-making trusts have reduced the amount of funding they are paying out. On 1st May, Jumpstart Kidz heard that they had been successful in getting a Children in Need grant which will contribute towards the running costs of their service. They have also received grants from Eveson Charitable Trust, E F Bulmers and Trusthouse Charitable Foundation.

Jumpstart Kidz has been operating in Herefordshire since 1996. They provide mobile soft-play sessions for preschool children with their parents or carers attending. Their philosophy is to make play accessible for all. Therefore, costs are kept low and the play sessions are provided at various venues. Charges for these sessions are kept low (just £2.50 per adult and first child and £1 per subsequent child). You only pay when you attend. Jumpstart also takes its play sessions to the children. With a van filled with soft play equipment, they drive to village halls, schools and children’s’ centres around South Herefordshire to set up and run play sessions every day of the week. Local families who can’t travel to other venues can enjoy good fun on their doorsteps.

Play is an essential part of children’s lives. It helps to enhance creativity and imagination, as well as physical and motor skills. At a Jumpstart session the children can climb, bounce, jump, throw, build and roll all over the soft play structures. There are also structured activities, which are led by the friendly, professional play staff, including parachute games, music and storytelling. Parents or carers stay and enjoy playing with their children at the sessions. The adults also take advantage of the chance to make new friends and discuss parenting issues. Occasionally visitors such as health visitors or puppet theatres will come along to provide information to the parents or entertainment for the children. There is always something to bring a smile to a child’s face at Jumpstart.

While some Jumpstart sessions are contracted by children’s centres, many of them are funded by grants which Jumpstart raises from charitable foundations. The funds of these charities can make available for grants have been severely cut by the banking crisis. As a result, it is becoming more difficult for charities to obtain grants and some charities are closing down due to lack of funding. This is the crisis that Jumpstart faced at the beginning of the year when a number of funding applications failed. However, this has turned around now and the families who enjoy Jumpstart can relax in the knowledge that the sessions in Upton Bishop, Bishopswood, Ledbury and YZone, Ross on Wye will continue for another year. Jumpstart would like to thank all those who have awarded grants to them.

www.jumpstartkidz.org.uk

Contact: Mags Smith, Development Coordinator
Tel: 07837 736635
Email: info@jumpstartkidz.org.uk