What we do…
RAY Family Centre provides a warm, friendly, welcoming space with free activities, support and learning opportunities for children, parents and carers through term time and school holidays see our Facebook page for up to date details of session times and activities https://www.facebook.com/CanolfanDeuluolRAYFamilyCentre
Sessions provide free healthy snacks for parents and children, and depending on funding can also provide free lunches for all that attend. Older siblings are welcome in school holidays or if home schooled.
Family Centre staff are supportive with a listening ear and time to hold the baby or entertain the toddler while parents or carers take a breath. Staff have attended courses to support speech an language development, healthy physical development, positive parenting, baby massage and more and can share this learning in a supportive way.
RAY Breastfeeding Support Group
This group was established and is run by volunteer mums trained through RAY in line with the local health professionals’ guidance. The group meets weekly alongside Family Centre session and more information is available on the group Facebook page
The benefits
- A social opportunity for parents, carers, grandparents and the children they bring
- Getting a hot cup of tea of coffee and the time to drink kit (this is the benefit most quoted by the adults that attend!)
- Meeting people with children a similar age and sharing experiences
- Being able to chat to Family Centre staff who have links to a wide range of support agencies including Health Visitors, Energy Efficiency Advisors, Parenting programmes, Speech and Language team staff, all within a supportive environment
- Help with identifying what other support agencies are available to families in the county
Quotes
- Thank you so much for everything you’ve taught me since I first started as a baby. I could not have been so confident going to big boy school without you. You’ve taught me valuable lessons I will continue to use. Thank you for always being my friends and welcoming me with open arms.. (Parent on behalf of their child)
- I’ve been coming to ray since my middle son was a toddler and now I come with my youngest who really enjoys it. It’s fantastic to see free lunch/snacks for the parents and children as this can be so helpful but also a great way for parents to mingle. The welcome from staff is fab, I look forward to coming each week for a chat and a cuppa. My son always feels happy and loved when he comes and RAY has become our weekly routine. (Parent)
- Love the atmosphere and the chats, brilliant resources and snacks (Grandparent)
- Absolutely love this place. I don’t have a big family circle locally coming to stay and play is a great opportunity to get talking to others and have him be around other children too. Financially it is a great help and the baked potatoes are lush, especially after nursing. Prefer this setup to other local groups which take place in big cold echoey church halls. Great cosy family orientated set up which allows me to feel more relaxed, especially as a parent with a chronic illness… Diolch
- Staff are so friendly and welcoming. Have really helped my child come out of her shell over the last year. Also she can’t have dairy and it’s so nice that they make her toast with dairy free spread at snack time, it means I don’t have to worry and we feel so welcomed. Thank you!
To find out more check out the RAY Family Centre Facebook and the Nyth y Fron Facebook page
