Toddler Fayre Success

We had a fantastic time at our Toddler Fayres across the centres over the last couple of weeks and hope you did too. 

We met lots of new guests experiencing 360 for the first time and lots of stallholders promoting their products and classes for the children. We even had local libraries attend in some areas and the Police!

Watch out for the next Toddler Fayre in your area later in the year. If you have any queries re classes or having a stall next time just ask in-store and one of our managers would be delighted to help you.

We had so many lovely comments from stallholders and customers alike, here are just a few of them.

From our stallholders:

Phonics with Robot Reg

An amazing Toddler Fayre. It was really well organized. Lovely to see so many local businesses all together and I met so many wonderful families!

Moon Flower Photography

I’ve had a lovely day at the Toddler Fayre. Very well organised and I’ve met some amazing people along the way.

The Mindful Mama Club

I had a great day at the 360 Fayre. There were lots of lovely parents and children to meet and the event was really well organized.

 

From our Customers:

“Today has been amazing! I have made a lot of mum friends and we have signed up to lots of classes we are attending together. Thank you for bringing people together after such a bad time” – Kelly

“This Toddler Fayre has been more than what we expected! I got lots of goodies to take home for me and my little one!”- Indigo

“We forgot how much fun we had at 360 until we came to the Toddler Fayre. We love this place so much that we even bought a pass! Thanks for hosting!” 

We can’t wait for the next one – see you soon

Help for Ukraine

As a family business for families we watch in shock seeing what is happening to families in Ukraine. We are sure that you, like us want to help but don’t know the best way.

We have looked into how we can best help as things are already happening in different areas in different ways.

This is what we have come up with:

Cash donations

If anyone wishes and is able to donate cash we can recommend the following just giving link set up by our friends at The Hub in Northampton.

Owned and run by a husband and wife team Valentina is Ukrainian and has contacts there and in Poland. They are doing amazing work getting supplies into the country and families out and have already raised over £60,000 with all money being spent on supplies in Poland.

Buses are filled with supplies and taken across the border to where they’re needed, the empty buses are then filled with refugees fleeing the conflict and brought to safety in Poland.

What an amazing operation! See more and donate here.

Find out more link

Just giving link

Goods collection points

We are currently looking to work with local groups who are collecting specific items. If anyone knows of other groups collecting different items we are happy to be put in touch and for our centres to be used as a collection point. We will keep in touch with what is needed as we know you will want to help.

Don’t worry if you can’t donate a lot every little helps as we stand with the Ukrainian people.

Contact us through your local facebook page.

A Maternity Experience During Covid

Raising a child is challenging as it is, let alone in the midst of a global pandemic! COVID 19 has had a huge impact on society as we know it, with many sectors struggling heavily over the past two years. But nothing has been affected as heavily as our NHS and social care services. Combating the pandemic put tremendous strain on the NHS affecting all of its services including the maternity care. This is something that our centre manager Amiileigh has experienced first hand. Today we want to share her story with you and the positive outcomes that she brings from it.
Amiileigh, a mother of three was planning her baby number four just as we were put in to our second lockdown! To then find out she was expecting twins were a scary prospect. Amiileigh found her pregnancy extremely challenging as the usual support networks, prenatal classes and expectant classes were understandably closed to minimise any risks to the communities. Her partner was not allowed to the scans, or her hospital or midwife appointments, and following on from her caesarean section in May of 2021 he was asked to leave with only a two hour visit daily at the hospital to protect the vulnerable.
Amiileigh says that “after what felt like an incredibly lonely journey in my pregnancy, I didn’t expect the post natal care I received to feel solitary too, being isolated at home with less visits than I’d previously had and my local baby groups closed was a tough time”
As many new parents will be aware a lot of the checks up are now over the phone to minimise face to face contact. This also includes vital milestone checkups for babies, meaning weightings and such are nonexistent. The NHS does provide a text messaging service for information and advice which Amiileigh feels “is fantastic to offer for any worries she has but lacks the sense of security and reassurance you get when you know the professionals are seeing your baby”
Research has shown that post natal depression has risen from 2019 from 23% to 47.5% and Amiileigh believes all that she has experience firsthand has had a role in this. “Fortunately I know what to look out for not only in myself but my children, however I can’t begin to imagine how anxious it must feel as first time parent” she states.
Amiileigh returned to work from her maternity leave in November, her experience over her leave allowed her to want to make a change and open up our doors here at 360 Play to support local parents. 360 Play is a recognised and well loved family attraction centre within our community making it the perfect place for parents and carers to come long and socialise with each other, forming new friendships and sharing experiences. We are also proud of all of our hard working from all of our team in keeping our centre Covid Secure and having the go ahead from Visit England to remain open.

Christmas Packages to Book Now

Looking to bring a group to us for a get-together before Christmas? Why not book one of our Christmas group bookings for a simple, fun way of meeting up. With a minimum of only 20 children and all supervising adults free, this is a great cost effective option to spend some quality time together.
Valid for registered groups, schools and charities only. For personal meet ups check out our Host-less Parties. We’ve made it easy for you to book online now…

Have a cracking time together as family with one of our Christmas Cracker family tickets. Play all day for four people with 2 pizzas and any 4 drinks, all for one price of £69.95

Meet up with friends and have a great hassle free day out before Christmas. Book now

360 Play Town welcomed Local MP Rachel Maclean on Friday for some Learning and Play

360 Play Town welcomed Local MP Rachel Maclean on Friday for some Learning and Play.  “After such a challenging last 18 months it was so great to get the support of Rachel Maclean this week.  Having spent most of the last 18 months closed or only partially operational it’s great to be now welcoming local families back to experience play without screens.  Our hands-on role-play street was a great hit with Rachel as she saw first hand the value of the setting where children and parents can play freely together.  We are so pleased to see many faces back using us again, along with many new lockdown parents discovering how valuable climbing, sliding and role playing with our young ones really is.”

Founder and Managing Director, Duncan Phillips

Discounted entry this autumn after 360 Play joins nationwide National Lottery Days Out campaign

Discounted entry this autumn for visitors to 360 Play who will be able to redeem a voucher on admission thanks to its participation in a new National Lottery Days Out campaign with VisitBritain, the national tourism agency.

National Lottery players who purchase a Lotto ticket from this October, will be able to redeem a voucher against entry tickets to hundreds of tourist attractions and experiences across the UK including 360 Play. The voucher code can be redeemed through the VisitBritain Shop at NationalLotteryDaysOut.com.

Halloween booking is now open

Halloween booking is now open and Halloween tickets can now be purchased for Sunday 31st October 2021.

With 360 Street Trick or Treating, carving your free pumpkin in the Pumpkin Patch and lots of spooky themed games, this will be an event for the whole family to enjoy.

Pass holders can get discounted tickets by calling their local centre or central bookings.

New outdoor area for Rushden Lakes Centre

The newest addition to 360 play Rushden lakes complements the existing indoor offerings combining rides, attractions and role play in one location at one price.  360 Play, like many has seen long closure during the pandemic and this latest addition to the attraction is aimed at providing wider choice and the ability to play outside as well as in.

Centre manager Lauren Jenkins:

“It’s great to be opening our newest attraction at 360 Play Rushden Lakes just in time for the summer holidays.  The new addition has been built over the last 2 months and involves climb towers slides, rope bridges and lots of sand play too.  This new area gives families the ability to play inside and out as we see the sun finally come out. “

We have also upgraded the sand play at our other sites with outdoor areas in Basildon, Milton Keynes, Leicester and Stevenage. Visit any of our sites with your play pass or membership.

 

 

The Holiday Activity and Food programme

360 Play is proud to be supporting the government’s HAF scheme at our Milton Keynes, Rushden Lakes and Redditch centres, to provide activities and food to families with children receiving free school meals to help see them through the long summer holidays.

As a result of this programme, children who have attended this provision should:

  • eat more healthily over the school holidays
  • be more active during the school holidays
  • take part in engaging and enriching activities which support the development of resilience, character and wellbeing along with their wider educational attainment
  • be safe and not to be socially isolated
  • have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition
  • be more engaged with school and other local services

We have hosted many families so far and are looking forward to meeting more over the next few weeks.

This comment is from a HAF visitor:

“I just wanted to pass on some feedback from our visit today. 

After arriving and realising I hadn’t remembered my mobile phone (containing the booking info) I approached the entrance desk where the girl working happily greeted me, I explained the details, the haf programme, our emails etc. After she followed protocol a manager was called and my issue was dealt with extremely well, even though I’m sure I didn’t arrive in the best of moods. 

These two women in particular but not forgetting your entire team at Rushden lakes, were exemplary. 

They were courteous, patient and professional. 

The food and play areas were well kept, clean and sanitised, providing reassurance as we introduce ourselves back into socialising. 

The food went down very well and even though I wasn’t expecting the food ticket, I can say it was a very welcome gift. 

Thank you for a lovely trip out, it was exactly what we needed. Lots of smiles from the kids too! 

The play centre itself is very impressive and we are already planning another trip back! 

You should be proud of the team down at Rushden lakes, they’re doing a really great job! “

Milton Keynes MPs Encourage Nominations For Free Tickets To 360 Play As Part Of Young Minds Campaign

Milton Keynes MPs, Ben Everitt and Iain Stewart, have encouraged people to nominate deserving families in MK to receive free tickets to 360 Play.

360 Play’s founder Duncan Phillips has pledged £60,000 worth of tickets for children and families who have struggled during lockdown as part of the business’ Young Minds Campaign.

And after visiting the centre on Friday to see the positive impact re-opening was having on hundreds of families across MK, Ben and Iain are encouraging people to nominate family, friends and colleagues to win free tickets.

There are many reasons a person can nominate someone to receive free tickets to 360 Play. From children not seeing a parent as much due to them being a frontline worker to a child going above and beyond to help others, the main theme is that they could really use with a fun and much-needed experience at 360 Play.

Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, commented:

“This is such a wonderful offer from 360 Play who have seen the impact lockdowns have had on children and families across the country and are doing their bit to help out.

“It was lovely to see so many families back out enjoying themselves in a COVID-safe way at 360 Play so if you know anybody who would really benefit from tickets please do nominate them and help boost mental wellbeing across Milton Keynes.”

Iain Stewart, the MP for Milton Keynes South, said:

“The children of Milton Keynes have had a really difficult time during the coronavirus pandemic and that is why I am championing the Young Minds Campaign by 360 Play. 

“By allowing people to nominate families and children who have experienced a tough time to receive free tickets to 360 Play, it will give children the long-awaited opportunity to create childhood memories and be children again!

“If you know of a family or children that could do with a visit to 360 Play, I encourage you to nominate them.”

Duncan Phillips, founder of 360 Play, added:

“I am passionate that it’s now we need to get our children out from home lockdowns and start playing together with others in safe and creative settings that will help re introduce them to social interaction off screens.  Through our Young Minds Campaign if we can reach out and give just one family some help right now it will have been a success.  That’s why I am so proud to play our part reaching out to thousands of families who may not have the ability to access our sites to come along as or guests and play again in active and open settings, I look forward to hearing our centres full of play and laughter again.” 

 You can nominate somebody you think is deserving of free tickets to 360 Play here: Nominate here