Summer Newsletter 2025
Hello to Everyone
It is hard to believe that we are nearly at the end of another school year! We hope that you are all enjoying this glorious weather that we have been having and are keeping safe.
Trustees needed!
We are always looking for new members to join our Management Committee to help in various aspects of Portage.
If you are a parent or grandparent of a child that has or is receiving Portage, maybe you have worked in Early Years, have experience in Fundraising, are retired with some free time or just want to be involved, we would love to hear from you.
If you are interested or know anyone who may be, please get in touch with Phil Tansley (CEO)
philipt@wiltshireportage.org.uk
Referrals
Our new referral process has been in place for a while now and we have recently reviewed and updated our criteria. We now only accept referrals via our online form that can be found on our web page.
Referrals can be made by parents/carers and professionals working with families.
Please ensure that the criteria are read before referring.
If you know anyone looking to refer a child, please direct them to this site.
Help & Advice
Please remember that your Home Visitors are happy to help signpost you to local organisations that can support you with Food, Children’s clothes, Toys, Household bills etc. As the summer break is fast approaching, it is a particularly hard time for many families. Please don’t suffer in silence, your Home Visitors have a wealth of knowledge and are happy to help or find someone else who can if they can’t.
Family Fund
Family Fund provides grants to families raising a disabled or seriously ill child, on a low income.
‘Family Fund believes that families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people should have the same choices, quality of life, opportunities, and aspirations as other families. We try to make this happen every day by:
Giving grants to families on a low income for items they may not otherwise be able to afford. For example, family breaks, digital equipment, white goods, clothing, bedding, furniture and play equipment.
Offering services to help parents and carers to achieve the outcomes they want for their child and family. This includes where to go for support with money, benefits and budget planning, information on mental health and wellbeing. And practical workshops to help people get online and use digital tools.
Providing ways for families to share their experiences, so they can influence lasting change on issues that matter to them.’
For more information, go to their website or speak to your Home Visitor.
A big thank you from Wiltshire Portage to all our donors from 2025:
Melksham Motor Spares
Wootton Bassett Council
Things to do:
1.Splash Pads
Warminster Lake Pleasure Ground BA12 9NP
Chippenham, John Coles Park SN15 1NZ
Melksham, King George V Park, SN12 7ED
Take along a picnic, sunhat and plenty of suncream to enjoy a free day out.
2.Visit one of the many parks or woodland areas that we are so lucky to have on our doorstep.
Explore the environment and hopefully make the most of some shade from the trees!
Kiddies Corner
Activity:
Sensory Water Play Station:
Set up a sensory water play station with various containers, scoops, funnels, and toys. Let kids explore the properties of water through pouring, scooping, and splashing.
Add food colouring for a colourful sensory experience, add ice cubes or even freeze small toys in ice cubes for an exciting treasure hunt.
Recipe Idea:
Fruit Yogpops
You will need:
1 ½ cups low-fat yogurt
1 cup sliced mango (or any fruit)
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, undrained
1 small banana
1 orange, juiced (or any orange juice)
Method:
1. Blend yogurt, fruit, and orange juice in a blender until smooth.
2. Pour into ice pop moulds (Or ice cube trays)
3. Freeze until set, 4 to 6 hours.
4. If you don’t have ice pop moulds, you
Can add spoons to ice cube trays for the stick.
Places to visit
1.Beanstalk Brews—a cosy play café in Westbury where families can relax, connect, and play. Created with neurodivergent children and their caregivers in mind, we offer sensory-friendly spaces, fresh food, good coffee, & a warm community feel.
You can pop in whilst we're open, or to book a table on 02038 747145
Little Sprouts - Minibeasts Stay & Play on the Farm (For Children 1-5 years old) 04/08
www.riverbournecommunityfarm.org.uk
The farm is free to visit and has a cafe, toilets and you can buy bags of food to feed some of the animals. They usually run activities over the summer too.
3. Sensory Sessions
4.Free or £1 meals available again this summer, visit: Moneysavingcentral.co.uk/kids-eat-free, for more details.
Fundraising:
If anyone would like to take part in any fundraising activities for Wiltshire Portage, please let us know.
However big or small, every donation helps us to provide support to so many families throughout Wiltshire.
Remember, send us photographs and we will share your success and achievements in our newsletter and on our website.
Wiltshire Portage are set up with Easyfundraising, so when you do any online shopping, we can automatically get a donation back from the retailer, at no extra cost to you! It is really simple to set up – just look for the Easyfundraising logo: http://easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/wiltshireportage
Portage Home Visit Dates
2025-2026
Term 1: 1st September to 22nd October
Term 2: 3rd November to 19th December
Term 3: 5th January to 13th February
Term 4: 23rd February to 27th March
Term 5: 13th April to 22nd May
Term 6: 1st June to 15th July
May Bank Holiday is 4th May
This term finishes on Thursday 17th July.
We hope you all have a lovely Summer and look forward to seeing you all again next term.
If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Kim Hannay-Young (Wiltshire Portage Service Manager)
On 07780 653888 or email kimh-y@wiltshireportage.org.uk