A HELENSBURGH charity which runs fun and educational sessions for young children in the area and their parents has held its first face-to-face meetings in more than a year.
Fun First was forced to move its sessions to Zoom when the first Covid lockdown took effect in March of last year – but returned to face-to-face gatherings this week.
The charity – which recently signed up to be one of the Helensburgh 'good causes' in the new Argyll Community Lottery – is holding small group sessions at the Cabin in the Drumfork Community Centre every Tuesday and Friday, featuring rhymes, stories and other fun activities – though sadly, for the moment at least, no singing.
These sessions are suitable for children from birth up to five years, and are free, but must be booked in advance via the Fun First page on Facebook.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “This first week’s sessions booked up quickly and we hope to expand as more venues open up for us to use.
“We all know how difficult it has been for young parents and children to meet up and socialise during the pandemic.
"Children and parents have missed the support and stimulation of time spent with grandparents, extended family, neighbours and friends.
"Now is the time for us all to take those first steps safely back to normality and get back to fun, friendship and supporting each other.”
The group hopes to meet in the James Street community garden as soon as the weather permits, and to use the new Community Hub – the former Red Cross hall in East Princes Street – once indoor gatherings are allowed again.
The charity, which recently received grants of £19,000 from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund and £1,000 from the Arnold Clark community fund to develop and expand its services, is also planning to employ and train new leaders.
For more information on those positions, and on current and upcoming sessions, contact manager Vicky Brindley on contactfunfirst@gmail.com.
Sessions can also still be accessed on demand via the Fun First channel on YouTube.
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