Groups

At Aspire Foundation, we offer a wide range of groups, activities and community sessions across our Children and Family Centres in Cheltenham and Tewkesbury. Our groups are designed to support children's development, strengthen family relationships, and help parents and carers feel connected, informed, and supported.

Whether you are looking for a play session, parenting advice, a chance to meet other local families, or additional support during a challenging time, our groups provide welcoming and inclusive spaces where families can learn, connect, and thrive together.

Many of our groups form part of our open access and Earliest Help offer, providing opportunities for families to access support early, build confidence, develop new skills, and connect with others in their community. Some groups are open access and can be attended without a referral, while others offer more targeted support and may require booking or referral.

Through our groups and activities, families can:

Build confidence as parents and carers
Support their child's learning and development
Meet other local families and reduce isolation
Access advice, guidance, and practical support
Learn about local services and opportunities
Enjoy fun, engaging activities together

Whether you're attending for the first time or are a regular visitor, you'll receive a warm welcome from our team.

Types of Groups We Offer

We run a variety of groups across our centres, including:

Stay and Play sessions
Targeted Family Time
Young Parents groups
Baby Hubs (delivered by the Health Visiting Service)
Stay & Weigh
Dad Matters
Mothers in Mind
Young Carers groups (in partnership with Gloucestershire Young Carers)

Each group is designed to support families in different ways, from early development and bonding to emotional wellbeing and peer support.

Baby Hubs

Our Baby Hubs are delivered by the Health Visiting Service and take place at several of our Children and Family Centres. These drop‑in sessions offer parents and carers the chance to:

Have their baby weighed
Ask questions about feeding, sleep, routines, and development
Receive advice from Health Visitors
Access support in a relaxed, friendly environment

Baby Hubs are ideal for new parents looking for reassurance, guidance, or a chance to meet other families with young babies.

For more information, click here.

Family Time

Family Time sessions run weekly at each of our Children and Family Centres and offer a fun, engaging space for children and their families to socialise, learn, and play together. These sessions include a wide range of activities such as:

Arts and crafts
Messy play
Sensory exploration
Outdoor play in our centre gardens
Story time and songs

A Community Family Worker is always available during Family Time to offer advice on topics such as:

Toilet training
Sleep and routines
Weaning
Behaviour
Early development

Family Time is open to all families with children aged 0–5 and is a great way to build confidence, strengthen relationships, and enjoy quality time together.

👉 Contact us to find out more.

Life is on the up now; things feel easier and I’ve got the confidence to change things.

Young Carers

Aspire Foundation is commissioned by Gloucestershire Young Carers (GYC) to run the Cheltenham Junior Young Carers Group. This group meets weekly at our Oakwood Children and Family Centre and provides:

A safe space for young carers to socialise
Opportunities to make friends
Peer support from others with similar experiences
Structured activities and games
Emotional support from trained staff

Young carers often take on responsibilities at home that can feel overwhelming. This group gives them a chance to relax, have fun, and feel understood.👉 Visit the Gloucestershire Young Carers website to learn more.

Stay and Play Sessions

Stay and Play sessions are open to all families with children aged 0–5. These sessions offer:

Free play opportunities
Activities that support early learning
A chance for parents to meet others
Support from our Community Family Workers
A relaxed environment for children to explore

Sessions run across Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, and Brockworth as part of our Spring/Summer Term provision.

👉 Check our calendars for full details.

Sessions will run across Cheltenham and Tewkesbury (including Brockworth). There are Stay and Play sessions available to all children 0-5 and their parents/carers.

Targeted Sessions

Some groups are designed for families who may benefit from more focused support. These sessions can be accessed by completing our referral form.

Targeted groups may include:

Support for children with additional needs
Emotional wellbeing groups
Behaviour support sessions
Family Time Plus
Groups for parents needing extra guidance

REFERRAL FORM

Young Parents Group

Our Young Parents Stay and Play group supports parents and expectant parents aged 25 and under. This friendly, inclusive group offers:

Free soft play
Access to our sensory room
Weekly craft activities
Baby play areas
A snack and drink for children
Opportunities to meet other young parents
Support from an experienced Family Support Worker

The group is designed to help young parents build confidence, connect with others, and access advice on parenting, routines, relationships, and more.

📍 Gardners Lane Children and Family Centre 📅 Thursdays, 10:00–12:00

We may also be able to support families with transport from outside the Cheltenham area.

👉 Contact us to find out more.

Request for support (Young Parents)

Find Out More

To see what’s happening this term, please check our centre calendars. These are updated regularly and include:

If you’re unsure which group is right for you, our team is always happy to help.