Parent-toddler group for adoptive and foster families to open in Thatcham in new year

A new parent-toddler group for adoptive and foster families will launch in Thatcham in the new year.

The group, called 'The Nest', will meet monthly at the St Mary and St Barnabas churches in Thatcham.

It aims to provide a space for these parents with babies and young children in Thatcham, Newbury and surrounding areas to meet together and play in a welcoming space.

The group was made possible thanks to a grant from The Development Fund, which was launched in 2019 by the Diocese of Oxford.

Now in its 11th round of awards, the fund has donated over £2.9 million to more than 155 local Church projects.

On this occasion it awarded over £143,000 to various community projects across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Curate at St Mary and St Barnabas Church Rev. Angela Brennan said: “We are delighted to receive a grant from the Development Fund enabling us to launch this new group for adoptive and foster parents and fill a gap in local provision for this group of parents.

"We want the Nest to create a sense of home and community, offering a space where parents and their children can meet and share good coffee, cake and the common experiences that unite them.”

Grant money also went towards hiring a parish nurse in Reading, a children and family worker Thame, a new Church group in Reading, the refurbishment of kitchen and toilets in Abingdon amongst other projects.