Hello and welcome to the latest Family Information Service newsletter. Our job is to give you the info and resources you need to help your family life run a little smoother. We can help with:
- Childcare – finding it and advice on paying for it
- Local baby and toddler groups
- Events, clubs, activities, and fun things to do in the school holidays, for all ages
- Getting parenting and family support
- Finding health and wellbeing support
We cover everything and anything to do with family life, so if you have a question, chances are we’ll be able to help, or if we can’t, we’ll point you in the direction of someone who can. Find us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Call 01743 254400 or email ShropshireFIS@shropshire.gov.uk
With the end of the school term fast approaching, we have been researching what’s on across the county this summer. Our Family Info Directory is full of events and fun things to do, including lots of free activities. Follow the link below to find out what is happening in your area.
Information to help families in Shropshire – Shropshire Together Community Directory
The Shropshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is now open for bookings.
Your child aged 4 (reception class age) to 16 can get a FREE place:
- If you get benefits-related free school meals, or
- Have been referred by a professional
A number of holiday clubs are able to offer places to children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
Some holiday clubs also offer additional paid places, that are available to those not eligible for HAF, so it’s worth taking a look if you need childcare or activities to keep your children busy during the holidays. HAF holiday clubs | Shropshire Council
The summer holidays go on for 3.5 years (rough guesstimate). If you are looking for holiday clubs to break things up, or childcare, check out our list of local providers in our Family Information Directory. From arts and crafts, animals, STEM clubs or football, there is something for everyone!
Information to help families in Shropshire – Shropshire Together Community Directory
This summer, give your child the chance to fall in love with reading! The Summer Reading Challenge, created by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with public libraries, is a FREE, fun-packed way to keep kids reading and learning all summer long.
This year’s theme, Read to the Beat, and is powered by Universal Music Group UK. The Challenge will celebrate the joy of music and the power it has to move, inspire, and connect us – all through the magic of reading.
Why join?
- It’s FREE! Available at local libraries and online
- Inspires a lifelong love of reading
- Boosts confidence, creativity, and imagination
- Earn rewards, certificates, and prizes
- Fun for the whole family. Visit your local library together
- 95% of children said they read more after joining!
- Children choose their own books to read, collect rewards over the summer and receive a certificate or medal when they complete the challenge.
All library events can be found on the events page of the library website Library events | Shropshire Council so take a look to see how your local library is celebrating this year’s summer reading challenge.
It’s fair to say that all parents from time to time need some help and support with issues that impact on family life, and the long school summer holidays can certainly be one of those times. Did you know there is help and support available in Shropshire through our Early Help coffee and chat drop ins – some of which are also stay and play sessions.
You can get free Information, advice and support on all aspects of family life, at our Family Drop-Ins. You can chat, have a cuppa and see how we can help you with:
- Family life
- Parenting support
- Domestic abuse support
- Money worries
- Housing support
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- and much more
To find your local drop in please visit the Family Information Directory
We often get asked what age can children be left home alone. With the holidays coming up you may be wondering whether you can leave them for a few minutes while you nip to the shop or a couple of hours while you work.
There’s no legal age a child can be left home alone, but it’s against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk. Every child matures differently, so it would be almost impossible to have a “one size fits all” law. The NSPCC have some really helpful resources covering this which include:
- a quiz to check if your child is ready to be home alone
- a downloadable guide
- key things to think about like teaching them what to do in an emergency
- how to find the right babysitter for you.
Leaving Your Child Home Alone – Advice | NSPCC
The world is constantly changing, and as parents it’s sometimes difficult for us to understand and make sense of the world in which our children and young people live.
This new FREE online learning pathway uses an easy-to-follow approach to help parents to:
- Understand the world shaping your child
- Think about difficult topics safely
- Support connection and communication
- Feel more confident with uncertainty
For more details and to access it, follow Understanding your child in a changing world – Togetherness
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