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Two Heswall mums have been working hard to launch a playdate café on Pensby Road to help tackle loneliness among new parents.
Crumbs and Cuddles, which launches next week on October 19, is being set up as a Community Interest Company by Sarah Douglas and Sara Tindall, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The ladies say the venue intends to bridge a gap in services that have decreased over the years. Pensby Children's Centre closed in December 2020 post-COVID as part of a review plan by Wirral Council, and was officially announced as closed in 2021. Heswall Day Centre shut in 2024 due to a heating failure that would've cost around £500,000 to fix. The site is now being made into retirement apartments.
The café will provide a space for parents and grandparents to socialise and share advice while children play. Services will include baby weighing and breastfeeding classes.
Ms Tindall said of her parenting journey: "I didn't realise until becoming a parent myself, how isolating it can be. My passion is to get the community together and reduce isolation. It's sad to see the depletion of services. If we can help to solve the problem that will be great."
Ms Douglas, despite having grown up children, wants to offer support to current parents, as services have been reduced since her children were young.
The site where the ladies are opening the play café will operate on a bookings-only basis, with the only rule being that visitors must be accompanied by a child. 30 Pensby Road was occupied until about four years ago, operating as Clive Watkin Sales and Letting Agents.
A spokesperson for Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust said the trust provides health visiting support through home visits, scheduled developmental reviews and community drop-in sessions across Wirral as part of the 0-19+ Service, recently recommissioned by Wirral Council.
The spokesperson added: "Community spaces, like this café, play an important role in bringing families together, helping parents and carers to connect with others. It is encouraging to see local organisations and communities working together in ways that can help reduce isolation, build confidence and support the wellbeing of parents, carers and young children."
Parents and carers concerned about their baby's weight can call the trust on 0151 514 0219 or visit www.wchc.nhs.uk/children to view the baby clinic timetable.
