The new Playtime Playgroup Rainham providing a 'lifeline'

Sarah McCann, 34, launched Playtime Playgroup Rainham at South Hornchurch Community Association Hall in Nelson Road two weeks ago. 

The opening was attended by Mayor of Havering, Gerry O'Sullivan, and his wife. 

Sarah said: "A lot of people have said it's needed in the area. 

"I've got three children. That's part of the reason I wanted to do it because I had my eldest, he's now 15, when I was 19.

"I've also got a nine year old and a four year old and to be honest with you, places like this are a bit of a lifeline if you're raising small children and you need to get out and socialise. 

"I just knew it was needed. You just need somewhere relaxed where people can make you feel welcome, and the kids can play and you can have a coffee and a chat with other people - other adults who are doing the exact same thing as you are because it's very lonely."

Sarah has previously worked with children in schools, and was helping out at another playgroup up until a month ago when she unexpectedly lost her job. 

She said: "I thought I would turn the negative into a positive and start my own. I got fired on the Tuesday and I had the hall by the Friday.

Mayor Gerry O’Sullivan was in attendance at the opening (Image: Sarah McCann) "This is for me. To be honest with you this is my ideal.

"I've worked in schools before but what I like about working with this age is that you get to interact with the families and be a regular face and support them."

The playgroup runs on Wednesday and Thursday every week, including throughout school holidays. 

There are two sessions per day for 0-4s from 9.45am to 11.15pm and 11.15pm to 12.45pm. 

Sarah's sessions cost £5 per child and parents and carers can turn up on the day without pre-booking or buying a bundle package. 

The fee covers the cost of coffee, tea, juice, biscuits and games that children and their parents can enjoy whilst at the hall. 

The group is for 0-4s and during the holidays, siblings can also be brought to the sessions (Image: Sarah McCann) Sarah said: "We do free play, there's teas and coffees, and juice and biscuits, and then the last 15 mins we do song time, bubbles and parachutes. 

"There used to be one (a playgroup) here years ago. I used to take my son when he was three.

"The people who run it stopped it so there's not really anything right here. The library next door, they're (the council) planning on closing it so you're really going to need places like this."

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Four sessions have been held so far, with the morning sessions appearing more popular. 

She added: "The most I've had turn up was 31 to last week's which was absolutely wonderful to see.

"When I opened the shutters there was a queue and that was just amazing. 

"I think that playgroups are just as important for the parents and carers as they are for the children. 

"You need places to connect with other people and the children need to socialise."