What Children’s Activities Are Happening Near Me?

Full list of activities can be found here: https://aspirefoundation.org.uk/Diary/

New Activities & Highlights Across Aspire Foundation Centres (April – June 2026)

📚 Early Years & Family Activities

NEW: Family Story Times – Oscar’s Reading Corner A cosy, engaging storytelling session created to spark a lifelong love of reading in little ones.

NEW: Little Robins – Cheltenham Town FC Active Sessions Football‑themed fun for under‑5s, delivered by Cheltenham Town FC coaches.

Dates & Locations:

27 April (9:45–10:30am) – Oakwood
19 May (9:45–10:30am) – Noah's Ark
30 June (9:45–10:30am) – Gardners Lane
8 July (13:15–14:00) – Brockworth

NEW: Little Wonders – Inclusive Stay & Play (BW, Thurs PM, Term Time) A warm, welcoming group for families of children with disabilities, medical needs, developmental differences, or those who’ve had a difficult start in life. No diagnosis needed, and siblings are welcome. A space focused on inclusive play, connection, and support.

Parent Carer Forum – SEND Stay & Play (NA, 4th Friday Monthly) A supportive monthly session for families of children with SEND, offering connection, play, and shared experiences.

Move More – After School Stay & Play Continuing at GL and Northway Infant Schools. Active, energetic sessions encouraging movement, play, and after‑school fun.

🧠 Adult Learning & Support

NEW: Adult Education – Autism & ADHD Workshops (BW, OW, GL) Workshops designed to help adults better understand neurodiversity, with practical strategies and shared experiences.

NEW: Thriving Together Course (OW & NA – Throughout the Year) In partnership with Springbank CIC. Sessions cover budgeting, managing money, debt, batch cooking, and everyday life skills to help families feel more confident and supported.

NEW: Home Start – Next Steps In Mind Drop‑In (NA & HW) A gentle, supportive space for parents who need time to talk, reflect, and connect with others.

Managing Emotions Workshops (BW & OW) Helping parents and carers understand emotional regulation and support their children’s wellbeing.

👶 Childcare & Professional Support

NEW: Monthly Childminding Session (OW) A regular meet‑up for local childminders to share practice, connect with others, and access professional support.

☕ Community Connection

Coffee & Chats – Ongoing Across Centres A relaxed, friendly space for parents to meet others, ask questions, and be signposted to support. Perfect for any early years parent.

Lives of Colour Sessions (GL – Saturdays) Celebrating culture, identity, and community through inclusive, creative activities.

What children’s activities are available near me?

We offer a wide range of early years sessions, stay & plays, inclusive groups, sports activities, and family support workshops across our Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Children & Family Centres. You can view the full activity diary here: https://aspirefoundation.org.uk/Diary/

Which centres run children’s activities?

Our activities take place across all five Aspire Foundation Children & Family Centres:

Berkeley House (BW)
Oakwood (OW)
Gardners Lane (GL)
Hesters Way (HW)
Northway / Ashchurch (NA)

Each centre offers a slightly different timetable, so families can choose what works best for them.

Do I need to book sessions in advance?

Some activities require booking, while others are drop‑in. Each listing in our diary will tell you whether booking is needed.

Are your activities suitable for children with SEND?

Yes. We run several inclusive sessions, including Little Wonders and the Parent Carer Forum SEND Stay & Play. Many of our mainstream groups are also SEND‑friendly. If you’re unsure, our team is always happy to advise.

Are siblings welcome at sessions?

In most cases, yes — especially at stay & play groups. Any exceptions will be clearly noted in the activity description.

Is there a cost to attend?

Most of our sessions are free or low‑cost. Any fees will be listed in the activity details.

Do you offer support for parents and carers?

Yes. We run a variety of adult learning and wellbeing sessions, including:

Autism & ADHD workshops
Managing Emotions workshops
Thriving Together course
Home Start drop‑ins
These are designed to support parents in everyday life and family wellbeing.

Where can I find the latest updates?

Our activity diary is updated regularly. Check the latest timetable here: https://aspirefoundation.org.uk/Diary/