News Flash (12.07.2010)

As we are approaching the end of the school year, we feel it would be appropriate to reflect on the year 2009/2010 briefly.

Despite the current economic climate, Croydon Family Groups has grown within the last year, and we are particularly pleased that we have been able to open two new groups in September 2009; one in Purley and one in Coulsdon. Both groups soon established themselves attracting a good number of regularly attending families. Moreover, our other 7 groups have seen a surge in attendance figures that at times demands have outstripped our resources.

While Croydon Family Groups tested the waters with 1 funday in conjunction with Home Start in August 2009, followed by 2 further fundays in October, funding for four fundays in August 2010 has been secured now. It is great to see how Croydon Family Groups has been growing a new branch altogether. This is also true for its mobile music service which has delivered more than 20 music sessions in early years settings since May 2010. Considering the overwhelmingly positive response, there is no reason to assume that this service will not continue over the following years.

Finally, Croydon Family Groups has been restructuring its operational policies and has put a mark on the early years provision in Croydon where our services are well respected.

Clearly, there are uncertain times ahead of us and funding of services across the nation within the voluntary sector has been announced to be reduced; an issue which as yet has not affected Croydon Family Groups but which could affect us particularly from March 2011 onwards. Still, we do not believe that there is any value in a doom-and-gloom thinking but we are prepared to face the challenges as they present themselves to us. LHE