At Crossing Together Toddlers we aim to provide a fun, warm, safe, welcoming and accessible space for babies and toddlers to come along with their grown-ups from across all areas of Irvine.  In setting up the group we initially looked at accessing funding to purchase equipment and toys however a toddler group in Troon had recently folded and they gifted us items that meant we could launch the group immediately. The group is free of charge to families to access and weekly snacks and craft materials are provided through donations and fundraising.  It is important for us to maintain a no charge policy to maximise accessibility due to the cost of living crisis and our locality being significantly impacted with regards poverty.  Weekly snacks provided are balanced with items like fruit, toast and juice/water being provided for the children and a warm drink and biscuits for the grown-ups.  As well as the weekly sessions we want to provide the families with new experiences that can include their older children and partners which will extend the community spirit that is being built in and around the group already.  These new experiences include family fun days, parties, trips and days out locally and further afield.  

Many of the families who attend the group rarely travel outwith Irvine and it would be great to improve the health and wellbeing through a summer trip to a farm park, which would provide a new experience by seeing the animals we sing about and read about at our weekly song and story time.  A 2027 Christmas party with entertainment, hospitality and a small book gift from Santa for each little one would also encourage positive mental health during the festive time that brings much stress to many with extra financial outgoing in winter.  A weekend family fun day lead by a local Artist would enable us to include the working parents and older children of the toddlers/babies and through hospitality/food and fun messy artistic activities create a positive aspect to family life building community and natural support networks between families.  

For Crossing Together to provide these experiences at no cost to the families in our locality we would be applying for the PB Locality Funding to help meet these costs as well as doing additional fundraising and seeking donations. 

Examples of costings to provide such experiences are:- 

Farm park admission (approx 80 people includes under 2s free) = £625 

Childrens Party Entertainer = £125 

Gifting from Santa (approx 40 gifts) = £60 

Art Family Funday/Crafting Materials (approx 100 people) = £250

Party/Funday Hospitality = £150

Additional costings for items like craft materials and additional hospitality would be sought through donations and fundraising.