Games and homework club to provide safe warm space for children

A new games and homework club has been launched in a bid to provide a safe warm space for children.

Thatcham Rugby Club has started after school sessions for Year 6 pupils for fun, food and homework help.

The sessions, which are currently volunteer run, operate every Monday at the clubhouse between 4pm and 6pm.

Thatcham Town Council has approved a funding application from TRFC for £250, which will go towards providing food and beverages.

The children will receive a hot chocolate, toast and squash.

“We are concerned about the rising energy bills and some children might not have anywhere to go back to in the early evening,” said chairman of the recreation and amenities committee Mark Lillycrop (Lib Dem, Thatcham West).

“This is somewhere for them to go to have a hot chocolate and toast.”

The club is also looking for sponsorship of between £40 - £500 for the purchase of electronic games.

It is hoped that the sessions provide an alternative option to school-run after-school clubs.

The club said: “We see it as a place where kids can be warm and safe and perhaps get something to eat if they are struggling to do so at home or indeed if they just want a snack.”

The warm space is free for all and runs during term time with the possibility of continuing it during most holidays.

“Thatcham Rugby Club is proud to help the community,” said chairman David Hamilton.

“It is just something that we wanted to do.

“With the cost-of-living-crisis this is somewhere for them to go for a warm space.

“We are not just a rugby club.”

Mr Hamilton said interest is low but he hopes to see interest grow over time like other clubs have done in the past.

“We had an armed forces breakfast club and had 15 or 16 people before Covid but last month we got 80," he added.

“We got this lovely building, our clubhouse, about six years ago and it was not being used.

“We just want to give something back.”

A messy play session began on Monday (February 27) for pre-school aged children and will run fortnightly from 10am – 11.15am.