Activity packs gifted to Flying Start families

Nearly 1,800 Flying Start families in Carmarthenshire are being gifted activity packs for their young children to use during lockdown.

Each pack contains a range of age appropriate resources and comes in a box which can be turned into a tap tap box as used in the language and play sessions delivered by Flying Start.

Other activity items include books, animal toys, bubbles, paints and art materials, a ball, song puppets, playdoh making kits, shaker bottle kits, lotto boards, crayons and chalk and various sensory materials which will help keep children motivated whilst staying at home.

Eleri Stephens, of Trimsaran, whose children Harper and Sienna Daniels have benefited from the packs said: “The girls have had hours of fun doing activities, and they loved the sticking and gluing, painting and using the playdoh. These packs are a lovely idea and have come at just the right time.”

Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme which supports families in disadvantaged areas of Wales to give children under the age of four a flying start in life.

The council’s executive board member for children’s services, Cllr Glynog Davies said: “These activity packs are fun, exciting and help to keep young minds active and inspired during lockdown. We’re pleased to be working with the police who are helping deliver the packs across the county. “

Dyfed Powys Police has also linked up with Carmarthenshire County Council to help with distribution by using their police vans and drivers.

Dyfed Powys Police, Chief Inspector Thomas Sharville said: “The Flying Start scheme offers much needed support to young families during this difficult time. Dyfed-Powys Police is delighted to work with Carmarthenshire County Council by supplying drivers and vehicles to deliver Flying Start activity packs to our communities.”

Recently Flying Start Carmarthenshire became the first Flying Start in Wales to use a mobile app to help keep in touch with families. The team developed the app as a way to increase engagement, and to signpost families to important information and promote events in the local areas.

A guide book, as well as videos, demonstrating how to use activities in the packs, are on the new app.