By Maika Carrillo
As a first-time Filipino parent and new to the area, I remember how I found it a bit hard for me to go out with my child as I didn’t know where to go or what to do. Staying at home felt isolating and alienating, especially if your partner has to go to work every day and you are left with just you and the baby. Driven by the loneliness I felt, I mustered the courage to go out even just for a walk to the park nearby. It was refreshing, it was liberating. Once I took the first steps, I started exploring what my community has to offer and I was surprised with what I found!
One thing that I appreciate living in the UK is the variety of free support available for children and families. I’ve met a few Filipinos in my area who have lived in the UK for a long time and just recently had a baby, yet they were clueless about what services are available for them locally. So here are the places in your community that I highly encourage you to explore together with your little ones or with the whole family.
Local library
In the UK, local libraries are more than just buildings full of books; they offer useful community information and free activities for adults and children too. I consider my local library my second home as I go there every week to join Rhyme Time, a free activity where babies get to sing and move to catchy rhyming songs. There’s also Story Time which is popular among toddlers and pre-school age kids. And there’s more – our library has Lego Time and Duplo Time, too! They also lend out sensory toys which you can borrow while you stay in the library. In some areas, the library is where you go to get free compostable food bin bags.
So head to your local library and check out what free or low-cost activities they offer for little ones. I’m sure you’ll be a regular visitor soon! Find out free activities being offered by your local library in this interactive map which covers England and Wales.
Children & Family Centre/Hub
Another gem of the community is the family centre or the family hub. They offer services for ages 0 to 19 (or 25 for those with special education needs and disabilities (SEND)) and are run by local councils in partnership with charities. Ranging from baby time, to support for children with special needs, as well as parenting courses and workshops, they have qualified staff to support the different needs of families. I cannot stress enough how thankful I am to be able to avail these services.
If you or anyone in your family are struggling, do not hesitate to contact your local family centre, as they are very approachable and they will direct you to the right services appropriate for you. Here’s where you can find your local children and family centres or hubs.
Parks and playgrounds
Apart from the library, our second favourite place is our local playground. My daughter enjoys going to the playground where she can interact with other kids and I can meet other parents. We also love our local park where my little one is free to run around and enjoy the outdoors. Local and national parks are generally free to access, but you may have to pay for parking.
Here’s where you can find your local playgrounds. If you enjoy the outdoors, here’s where to find the UK’s national parks. In the summer, look out for free family-friendly events in your local parks. Going to the park or the playground is a great way for kids to get some exercise, explore and socialise in a safe environment outside of school.
Social clubs or community support groups
As parents, it is essential that we also look after our social and mental well-being so we can take care of our families better. There are lots of interesting groups in our local areas that we can join. Anyone up for knitting? Here’s where to find your local community groups or clubs – one or two may appeal to you, if you aren’t a member of one yet. Go to the “Adults and Older People” section of your council website and choose “Things to do” to find a variety of clubs and activities that you can try: from chess to knitting, local history to gaming! There’s also MeetUp and EventBrite, of course, where you can find groups and events to join.
Local church or place or worship
I cannot recommend enough to check out what the local church near you offers. I was surprised when I found out that a church that was literally a five-minute walk away from our house was offering a stay-and-play group every week, I was so happy. Not only is it conveniently near us, it is also an opportunity for my little one to have a fun time playing and interacting with other children. While these activities are held in churches, they are often open to everyone regardless of their religion.
Local museum and gallery
Most museums and galleries have special activities for children and families, especially during school breaks when most services are at a pause. They may offer special art classes, holiday hunt and trails, engaging activities like interactive plays and lots more.
Yes, there are free places and activities out there that our kids and us adults, too, can enjoy. If you have other suggestions, message me at @thefilipinabookjunkie on Instagram or tell us on the Tinig UK Facebook page.
About the author
Maika Carrillo is a self-confessed bibliophile who loves to visit and explore libraries and bookshops. She has lost count of how many books she has and she always runs out of space for new ones. She considers the library her second home. She is a book blogger, a bookstagramer (follow her @thefilipinabookjunkie), and currently the facilitator for The Filipino Mothers UK Book Club.
