Laughing in the rain

Despite some wet and windy weather, 125 families from Plant Dewi projects across the diocese attended the Plant Dewi Fun Day at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. Catrin Eldred, Plant Dewi Manager, reports

With thanks to the Mothers’ Union AFIA fund, the St Davids Diocese Children, Youth & Families Fund, and Ceredigion County Council’s Families First grant, we were able to host another great event this year, alongside the Education Development team at the NBGW.

During the day, children and their parents and carers had the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities including creative clay, glitter tattoos, a scavenger hunt, decorating wooden tiles, messy and water play, salt and light experiments, Multiply Maths, cookie craft, parachute games, active story & song, badge making, find the leaf, archery, Mothers’ Union Tunnel of Hope, pond dipping, raft and duck racing and cooking over a fire. Most of these activities were facilitated by Plant Dewi staff and we extend a huge thank you to them all for their work leading up to, and on the day itself.

There was plenty to do for all ages and feedback has been wonderful. Parents have told us how valuable this day out has been during the school summer holidays. Entertaining children for six weeks comes with its challenges, especially as the cost-of-living crisis is so prominent amongst the families we work with. Transport and light refreshments were included to break down barriers to families attending, providing them with opportunities to make amazing memories together.

It was also an honour and a privilege to welcome the Bishop of St Davids to the event who enjoyed some parachute games, cookie crafts and archery and had an opportunity to meet families who benefit from our projects all year round.

The event was also key in the Year of Salt and Light, where family was the theme for August. Churches local to each of the Plant Dewi projects have been attending centres and groups throughout the summer to learn more about our work and the positive impact we are having on families with young children across the diocese of St Davids.

For more information on Plant Dewi, please visit the website – www.plantdewi.org.uk, email info@plantdewi.co.uk or telephone 01267 221551.