Thame’s relaunched children’s centre flies once more

ON behalf of the Trustees, John Hulett welcomed the Mayor Linda Emery, children and parents, and invited guests to the official opening of the Red Kite Family Centre this morning, one year after it was threatened with closure to be replaced by a distant ‘Hub’ elsewhere in Oxfordshire.

Image © Sonja Francis

“Last year was quite a journey,” explained John. “Our motivation to save the Centre was born out of a collective belief that family support only works properly when based in the locality it serves.” He went on to praise the ‘excellent and highly respected work’ of Amy, the new manager and her team who will now be running the Red Kite Family Centre, which is based in the old Thame Library in Southern Road.

John thanked the Working Group for their efforts and others for their generous support, including Sharing Life Trust, Thame Welfare Trust, Oxfordshire County Council, Thame Town Council, Thame Rotary – especially mentioning Errol Bateman, who jumped out of an aircraft to raise funds for the centre – the Thame Partnership and many local individuals.  He also mentioned the Coop, who had provided the bear and gheko mascots that entertained the children throughout the morning, and thanked the Mayor, Linda Emery, who had chosen the Centre to be one of her designated local charities to raise funds for throughout her mayoral year, which ends in two weeks time.

“We still face many challenges ahead,” reminded John, before leading everyone outside to witness the Mayor unveil the Centre’s new sign outside.

One of the mums who uses the centre with her two year-old son, told Thame.Net what the Red Kite Family Centre means to her: “We’ve just moved to Thame after living abroad for ten years, to be near grand parents. For me the Centre is a great way to meet and get to know other parents, and for my son to start meeting and socialising with other children. We love coming here!”

The Centre is open daily to all parents and children under five years-old. Visit the Facebook page LINK HERE to find out more.

You can share some of the special moments from this very important and special day in the lives of the young children and parents of Thame –  IMAGES HERE