Children meet twice a week for messy play sessions
A CARDIFF play group is continuing to provide outdoor sessions to help children through the winter months, despite the cold temperatures.
Seren in the Community holds weekly play sessions at Anderson Fields on a Monday and Maltings Park on a Wednesday.
Charlotte O’Neill, a playworker at Seren, said: “We hold the sessions outside because the kids prefer it.
“We sometimes borrow a space to do crafty bits around Christmas but generally speaking the kids like the freedom of being outside.”
Laura Ross takes her four kids: Kayla, Kai, Elijah and Lucas to the group.
“My oldest Kai has additional needs so taking him places was always hard, but Seren welcomed him with open arms.
“My youngest two absolutely love Seren, they can paint and get messy.
“We made Christmas wreaths last week and Christmas stockings this week. I would never have done these things with my children without Seren as I wouldn’t have the stuff, the space or the time,” said Ms Ross.
The group’s therapeutic playworker, Ellie Jackson has worked closely with all the children, especially those with additional needs.
“There is always a selection of fun activities that my two children like to do, often messy, in a good way. Paints, water beads, chalk, foam, sometimes sliding on a plastic sheet.
“Plus, makeshift rope swings, skates, hoppers, footballs and a parachute.
“Going to Seren, I know my children can let off energy, get a sense of belonging and grow in confidence by mixing with others,” said Mike Barnett, father of Joshua and Dylan.
Seren uses Play Wales’ play principles to allow children to play without an agenda.
The principles establish the importance of play to children and how to play safely. It lays out the role of playworkers and that intervention should be minimal and only to help the children.
“It’s organised chaos,” said Richard Carling, a playworker at Seren.
Sally Price takes her daughter Annabel, 10, to the sessions and said: “Seren has helped my daughter in so many ways because they have time for kids with additional needs. [Seren] will go out of their way to help you and your child.
“They know that we are from the gipsy travelling community, but they treat us all the same.”
Seren is aiming to go round all the primary schools in the Cardiff postcode to educate them on the value of play.
The group has visited four primary schools: Adamsdown Primary School, Stacey Primary School, Baydon Powell Primary School, and Tredegarville C.I. W Primary School.
Once they have been to all the primary schools, Ms O’Neill says they will move onto junior schools.
- Seren will be holding its Christmas play event on December 23. More information will be coming on its Facebook page.
