Shoreham volunteers assemble free activity packs for children from low income families

Some of the materials included in the activity packs

Thankfully a community group in Shoreham is helping to bust boredom by putting together free activity packs aimed at children from low income families.

Rosie Denham from Adur Woodcraft Folk, one of the groups that runs out of the Co-Op Community Space in Ham Road, Shoreham, said that when the lockdown first came in, they had lots of resources left-over at the space, which children could no longer visit.

But the packs were so popular that they are now accepting donations and raising money for materials in order to keep on producing the packs.

A fundraiser on Facebook raised £250 in just three days, which Mrs Denham said was ‘incredible’.

They have also been supported by donations from the Adur East Lions, the Co-op Party and the Co-op foodstore.

Aimed at children between the ages of three and 11, the packs contain paper, stickers, pens, scissors, glue and more.

Mrs Denham said families had been ‘thrilled’ with the supplies.

“People seem really pleased,” she said. “I thought very carefully about what should go in them.”

With all the shops that sell arts and crafts closed, and supermarkets sold out of supplies – she said some households had been left with children drawing on the windows.

The packs are currently being distributed by social workers or included in food bank bundles for clients with children.

The Co-Op Community Space is a hub for many initiatives to support families from low income backgrounds.

It provides free weekday lunches for families during the school holidays, and runs a free coat scheme every winter. To enquire about receiving an activity pack or donate, search Co-Op Community Space Shoreham on Facebook.

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