National Volunteer Week June 1-7 is dedicated to the appreciation of all those who give up their time to help others. And at Newlife we couldn’t be more thankful to those who help Newlife provide specialist equipment and vital support to disabled children across the UK.

Everyone who gives their time to Newlife is ensuring that children get the equipment they need, equipment which helps to opens up their world so they can safely go to school or college, to medical appointments, to play with their friends, have fun, go on holidays, enjoy days out with family, and so much more.

And the volunteers who help make this happen do so in a wide variety of ways, from preparing stock, to working in the stores, offices or warehouses – everything that makes Newlife tick so children can continue to receive the help they need.

With over 19,000 hours donated to Newlife this year by volunteers, that adds up to an amazing contribution that really helps.

All our volunteers, whether they can commit to a few hours a month or several days a week are invaluable – we couldn’t do everything we do without them – and we celebrate them whenever possible, with fun events held through the year.

Being a Newlife volunteer also brings with it a chance to make new friends, be a part of a social community and learn new skills which can ultimately lead to an increase in confidence and even new employment, so they aren’t just helping to change a child’s life, they are changing their own lives too.

Newlife volunteers decide to join us for many reasons, and we can’t thank them enough for joining us.

If you would like to become a Newlife Volunteer visit our volunteering page to find out more

The post Newlife, where volunteering means making a real difference appeared first on newlifecharity.

With forecasts pointing to a sizzling summer, many families will be planning trips to the nearest beach to make the most of the good weather. But for families with a disabled child, that’s not always straightforward, with accessibility issues sometimes causing barriers to what should be fun in the sun.

Accessible beaches for disabled people can be hard to find, and new research – one of the first national surveys of its kind – shows that many disabled people and people with long-standing health conditions are unable to access the coastline in practice, despite the important role beaches play in wellbeing, recreation and family life.

Led by Will Behenna at the Beach Access Project in collaboration with PhD researcher Sadie Rockliffe and Dr Catherine Kelly from the University of Brighton, the research was presented at a parliamentary event on 18 May 2026, where policymakers, disability advocates and coastal organisations discussed how UK beaches can become more accessible.

While several factors affect accessibility, it is hoped that many more beaches can be improved, opening up experiences that should be available to everyone. For now, however, standards are minimal and unenforced, leaving families to search for beaches that meet their needs.

Beaches that appear to be getting it right combine level access, beach wheelchair availability and adaptive facilities, including:

• Bournemouth Beach, Dorset: Features ramped access from the cliff lifts down to the promenade, accessible parking and nearby beach wheelchair hire.
• Seaburn Beach, Sunderland: Provides a wide-open, completely step-free promenade, level ramp access to the golden sands and Changing Places facilities.
• Boscombe Beach, Bournemouth: Offers Mobi-mats for smooth sand traversal, adaptive beach huts with ceiling hoists and free beach wheelchair hire.
• Bude Summerleaze Beach, Cornwall: Highlights include flat viewing areas, sand wheelchairs for hire, and fully accessible Changing Places toilet facilities and a tidal sea pool.
• Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot, Wales: Offers a very flat, wide sand expanse, smooth promenades for easy rolling and fully adapted restroom facilities.
• Troon Beach Ayrshire, Scotland: Offers floating chairs, hoists and volunteer assistance as well as hoisted water access and a wide selection of beach wheelchairs.
• Whitby Beach, North Yorkshire: Featuring accessible paths, beach wheelchairs designed for both sand and water, beach matting in summer and disabled-friendly toilets.
• Bridlington Beach, East Yorkshire: Has level walkways, free beach wheelchairs, Changing Places toilets and adaptive bike hire from April to September through the All Ride Scheme.

What to look for:

• Accessible parking or Blue Badge Parking nearby
• Accessible toilets and changing facilities such as Changing Places
• Beach wheelchairs available
• An accessible area/space on the beach to relax
• High quality multi-formatted information
• Floating Chairs or chair assisted sea access
• Access to activities e.g. swimming, adapted paddleboarding and biking

Things to consider:

• Book ahead as wheelchairs and adaptive bikes may need reservations.
• Contact the local tourist office at specific areas you plan to visit for advice.
• Check the tides and entry points for beaches you plan to visit – some might be more accessible at low tide or from specific access points.

For more detailed information, planning advice and equipment bookings, visit the Driffield Mobility Beach Guide and for more information about accessible breaks and activities visit Tourism for All UK

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Our Newlife Nurses are the heartbeat of the charity – there for families in the moments they need support most. They make time to listen, offer reassurance, and point people towards the right support. And just like nurses working in hospitals and GP surgeries across the country, no two days are ever the same; what unites them is a deep desire to make a difference to the people who turn to them.

To mark International Nurses Day, we caught up with registered nurses Karen, Beth, and Annette to hear what their work at Newlife looks like – from meeting families face to face at community events and national shows, to offering guidance and reassurance over the phone when they’re office-based.

“We all love going out to meet families at events,” said Beth. “It’s so lovely to chat face to face. We can spend quality time exploring how best we can support each family, and we get feedback from them too. It also helps us build bonds of trust. We go to events as often as we can, but we’re also very lucky to have the time to spend with families when they call – something we know our colleagues in healthcare settings don’t always have.”

Whether they’re speaking to someone in person or at the other end of the phone, the Newlife nurses never know what they’ll be asked about. But they all agree on one thing: personal connection – and having the time to talk things through properly – can make all the difference.

Annette said: “Sometimes we might be talking to the parent of a very poorly child, or a professional looking for suitable equipment for a child who is very ill. Or it’s a call from a family whose child has a brand-new diagnosis, and they don’t know what the future holds. Whatever the reason, we respond to each call based on its unique needs.

“We need to be on our toes – trying to understand what the family’s experience has been, as well as their needs and the challenges they are facing. Our aim is to support and empower them with tips and strategies on a wide range of issues, and to help them navigate different services.

“It can be overwhelming when you’re trying to make sense of a diagnosis and what the future might look like. Parents and carers can offload to us, and we can then signpost them to the relevant professionals for the right assessment and support.”

Karen added: “A lot of the time, while families are talking their worries through with us, they come to their own conclusions and answer their own questions. Every family is on their own journey, and we have lots of resources available to support them.

“Often people start off talking about something practical – like a buggy – but as we chat, they gradually make their way round to the real reason they called, which is often emotional support. By the end, the equipment application might be submitted, but just as importantly, they feel heard. They leave the conversation with signposting and reassurance that helps them feel more able to cope.”

Karen continued: “Nursing should be a vocation – you have to have that desire to help and support. The beauty of this job is that, even if we’re not always physically present, we can easily spend an hour with a parent or carer talking things through. With the pressures on NHS services, that’s not always something other professionals are able to offer.

“It doesn’t matter how you feel when you come in to start your day here – you know it’s going to be rewarding. Helping someone feel less alone and more able to cope, just by being there, really does make a difference.”

On International Nurses Day – and every day – we’re proud to recognise the compassion, expertise, and time our Newlife nurses give to families across the UK. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to turn, or simply need someone to talk things through with, Newlife is here to listen and help you find the right next step.

Nurse Helpline: Freephone 0800 902 0095 – Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm – excluding Bank Holidays (free from UK mobiles & landlines). You can also message any time at nurse@newlifecharity.co.uk.

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May half term is fast approaching so we’ve put a few ideas together for some great days out and activities that can help keep you busy, happy and having fun!

For those who are happy to pay for a fun activity that’s in a calmer environment, why not try pottery painting? The tactile painting process is very hands-on, and you can choose from lots of different things to paint to suit your budget. There are lots of different options dotted around the country, but to be sure it’s the right one for you, you can give them a call to book in when they are quieter.

Watching a film at the cinema is a firm favourite with many – just search up venues to make sure they fit your needs, whether this is quieter SEN sessions, or accessibility needs. Most of the major chains offer adjusted screenings, but if there is somewhere specific you want to go or film you want to watch, it’s worth calling ahead or visiting accessible screening to find the right venue for your needs.

Now the weather is getting better, a farm visit is a great way to get out and there are some specifically designed with autism in mind, including the ones below – but there may be something suitable closer to your home.

The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) (Cheshire) offers tailored programs for children with complex physical/learning disabilities and sensory impairments. Two-hour day visits can be booked, which are free and the ten-acre site offers lots to do and see from donkeys, alpacas goats and sheep to visit, woodland to explore and a fully enclosed grass play area including a wheelchair accessible roundabout and swing.

Fairytale Farm (Chipping Norton, Cotswolds)  is designed to be inclusive for disabled children, featuring sensory experiences and will be holding a Unicorns, Dragons and Wonderland Magic event this half term.

National Forest Adventure Farm (Burton-on-Trent)  While not set up to be a destination for children with SEND, they welcome all visitors and much of the site is on one level with access to higher/ lower levels via ramp or steps with handrail and state staff are always on hand to provide assistance should it be required. There is a huge indoor soft play area, outdoor adventure zones featuring go-karts, jumping pillows, an assault course, crazy golf, a musical maze and more, while the animal barn and paddocks feature goats, alpacas, cows, horses, sheep and so much more. As ever, if you have any specific requirements, please give them a call!

Other events include:

SEND Fest at Colchester Zoo (Essex) is an evening event with reduced capacity, sensory stations, animal encounters, and “The Animal Guyz” show.

SNAPS Superhero Challenge in Leeds which is a fun run (walk, run, wheel) with sensory play, soft play, and face painting.

Autism Friendly Visit (Newmarket) https://events.humanitix.com/autism-friendly-visit-to-the-pony-academy Has a supported, quiet visit to the Pony Academy with sensory spaces.

Museum and Experience Days can also be a great way to keep children busy and learning in a fun way – and are usually very accessible with quieter slots available – just call to discover if it’s suitable for your needs.

To find more events closer to home to meet your needs you can visit Club Hub UK for SEND activities . It’s also worth contacting your local council to ask what their local offer is and if there is anything suitable for your child. You can locate your local council here.

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At Newlife we’re always striving to do our best, not only for the disabled children and their families that are the focus of the charity, but for the communities that shop in our stores that flock to us for brand new high-street bargains too. That’s why we are so proud to be shortlisted for not just one, but two business awards!

The Third Sector Business Charity Awards aims to celebrate the extraordinary things that charities and their partners achieve when they work together in meaningful ways.

Newlife’s first nomination is for the charity’s work with iconic Superdry, which has been a partner of Newlife since 2016, working to transform their stock donations into environmental and social impact. The initiative supports Superdry’s zero-to-landfill commitment by diverting stock from landfill or incineration – which so far stands at nearly 100,000 garments – diverting reusable product to generate sustainable income for Newlife.

Superdry stock has exceeded £2 million in stock value over the last ten years – helping to fund life-changing equipment for disabled children and supporting services including a Nurse Helpline for families to call. This partnership clearly demonstrates how surplus stock can reduce textile waste, generate unrestricted charitable income and deliver real measurable environmental and social impact.

The second nomination is in the best response to the cost-of-living crisis category and is the result of an initiative which saw potential waste transformed into helping communities by selling brand-new uniform items donated by high street retailers, including Matalan, which prevented them from going to landfill.

The donation of stock to Newlife from Matalan came after a packaging redesign, with the brand generously donating their excess school uniform stock and saleable returns to Newlife to be sold through their nine retail stores.

These donations serve as an alternative to sending the items to landfill or recycling, ensuring that stock which is of a saleable quality reaches a new audience of customers, rather than going to waste. This allowed local families to benefit from affordable, high-quality school uniform essentials at a time when the rising cost of uniform was a significant concern for families struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

But, whether or not Newlife win either of the Business Charity Award sections it has been shortlisted for when the results are revealed on May 7, we know that we will continue to find meaningful ways to help our retail partners in their quest for sustainability as well as provide our local communities with affordable options when prices seem to be rising everywhere at an alarming rate.

Retail partners and customers for our stores are both so important when to comes to our mission to help families with disabled children, because without them, we wouldn’t have been able to provide the life changing equipment and support for so many disabled children and their families who often have nowhere else to turn.

The post Newlife shortlisted for two business awards for work with retail partners appeared first on newlifecharity.

A Birmingham mum whose five-year-old daughter went from being happy and healthy to starting chemotherapy for Leukaemia in just one week has praised Newlife for providing a specialised wheelchair which stopped them being housebound – and gave her daughter the will to fight.

A specialist wheelchair funded by Newlife The Charity for Disabled Children has allowed Darcie Nolan to remain as active as possible, go to school for a few hours a day and simply enjoy playing with friends during the most difficult stages of her treatment.

Mum Lianne first thought Darcie had a virus when she became weepy and tired after the October half term last year, but she was also limping despite no injury. Three days later, when night‑time pain began waking her, Lianne and her husband David took her to A&E at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Although Darcie had happily skipped along a corridor, for her consultant, blood tests revealed a single blastoma – confirming she had cancer.

“Darcie started chemotherapy on the Friday, just one week after her first symptom,” said Lianne. “It was heartbreaking, like everything was happening in slow motion yet so fast. She did amazingly well and, although we were told to expect a three‑to four‑week stay, she was discharged after nine days.

“As a neonatal nurse practitioner, I knew the first treatment cycle can cause temporary loss of the use of her legs as well as hair loss, but it was devastating when Darcie said her legs ‘wouldn’t work anymore’. Darcie had already had to stop Irish dancing, gymnastics and stage school as she was too weak, but without a wheelchair or buggy that was big enough for her we couldn’t go out, and Darcie – usually a social butterfly – became withdrawn. It was awful.”

Renting a wheelchair would cost £100 per week but both parents had taken time off work to care for Darcie and Disability Living Allowance would take 25 weeks to assess. But a fellow school mum told her about Newlife, which not only provided a specialist wheelchair by the end of January but also arranged an equipment loan in time for Christmas so the family could still celebrate together.

Newlife provides life-changing and life-saving equipment, including specialist buggies, wheelchairs, car seats and beds, for disabled children across the UK, but also offers loans of specialist toys, a nurse-run helpline and also campaigns to improve the future for disabled children.

Darcie’s treatment plan will last at least two years. Physiotherapy helps her walk on good days, though not far, and on bad days she relies entirely on the wheelchair, which now goes everywhere with her, including school.

Lianne said: “The wheelchair from Newlife gave Darcie the will to fight. It helped her mental health, and ours too, because it meant we could go out again. When you are stuck at home reality feel miles away. The wheelchair isn’t just helping her get around though, it’s her safe space, it’s where she goes to feel better when she feels wobbly.

“I wish more people new about Newlife, their process was so easy, and they helped when no one else would. When your bucket is full and you’re struggling, when your mental capacity is at max, this is what you need.”

The post Darcie receives lifeline wheelchair in cancer battle appeared first on newlifecharity.

Earth Day – April 22 – is an annual event which seeks support for environmental protections, and its organisers firmly believe that progress is built through everyday action, which is something Newlife strives to do in small ways that really count.

Known for saving surplus brand-new stock from hundreds of high street retailers from landfill and extending its lifecycle by selling it across the charity’s nine stores to raise funds to help disabled children, Newlife is launching a new initiative to take things a step further, with clothing bins as part of a Take Back scheme at its Cannock site.

Now people can leave their unwanted clothing in the large bins provided – not to be sold in store, as it sells brand new items, but to be sent away and recycled responsibly for its parts, with the profits raised going to help more children receive the vital everyday equipment they need.

The clothing bins are located outside the Superstore on Hemlock Way so shoppers can leave their worn or unwanted clothing to be sent away and recycled by a trusted Newlife partner, not only creating an income for Newlife, but preventing them from adding to the landfill pile which already sees around 350,000 tonnes of used clothing dumped into it each year.

And, although each donation doesn’t need to be large or heavy, the accumulative effect means that one tonne of clothing weight would result in enough income to provide a specialist buggy for a disabled child, so every pair of jeans, t-shirts, jumper and coats really will make a difference.

The recycling of these garments placed in the Take Back bins will also have an accumulative effect on the environment too. During the period 2024-2025 Newlife sent more than 70 tonnes of items that had been donated by retailers for recycling and fibre recovery – and with the Take Back scheme it is hoped will significantly increase.

During the same period a further 950 tonnes of items sold for reuse across Newlife stores across the country and Newlife’s net carbon savings from donations over the same period was also equivalent to carbon emissions from over 27.3 million road miles by average cars.

Every single donation of clothing adds value to everything Newlife does – and the local community is being urged to dig deep in their wardrobes so Newlife can turn that itchy jumper, worn out coat or all the old clothes than no longer fit into something that will help change a disabled child’s life, allowing the to make the most of every opportunity.

*As an added incentive over the launch week of the Take Back scheme, anyone who brings a bag of unwanted clothing to the Superstore service hatch during its launch week of April 22 – April 29 will receive a voucher for 10 per cent off their next purchase at Newlife Superstore.

The post Earth Day launch for Newlife’s Take Back scheme appeared first on newlifecharity.

Newlife supports children with disabilities across the UK, helping them to make the most of all their opportunities and experience the joy of childhood, whether that’s through specialist equipment, support from dedicated Newlife Nurses or through the magic of sensory play – but to help make this happen we need people who are ready and willing to take on a fundraising challenge!

For those who are ready and willing to help disabled children but don’t really know how to go about it, then we have lots of great options you can sign up for right across the country, so wherever you live, there’s sure to be a Newlife event near you.

With places available in a wide range of activities there’s lots of choice to help you raise funds to help disabled children receive the vital everyday equipment and support they need to thrive, whether you are looking to take part in a once in a life time thrill, a challenge which will also help you get fit, or do something that’s already within your comfort zone. However, if you don’t see something that sparks an interest for you, then why not organise your own event – whether that’s a pub quiz, local gig, or something more adventurous.

Organised events being held in the next few months that you can sign up for include:

Put the FUN into fundraising by taking part in The Inflatable 5k is a fun run with the emphasis on fun – complete with massive bouncy obstacles, music zones to help pump up the energy, and of course, an electric atmosphere. It’s a great option to do with family and friends as it suits all abilities. Children aged five to 15 can take part but they need to be with a participating adult. Registration for this event is £45 and the minimum fundraising pledge is £200. Events run across the country between April to October.

The Leeds Half Marathon on May 10 is the biggest event of its kind in Yorkshire – and you can hit the ground running knowing that every penny you raise will help disabled children. Runners must be at least 17 years old on race day to take on this challenge and everyone taking part will be buoyed along by the fantastic crowd cheering everyone on. The Registration fee for this one is £40 and the minimum fundraising pledge is £400.

Jump June is a must for thrill seekers with activities you’ll definitely want to cross off your bucket list.  You can take a leap to a 160ft drop for Newlife with a bungee jump  at iconic Battersea Park. At the top you’ll enjoy spectacular views over the River Thames and the city skyline, before making your leap. Taking Place on June 6 the registration fee is £55, and the minimum fundraising pledge is £200. This event is strictly over 16s.

Make a splash for Newlife with The Great North Swim, an iconic open water challenge at Windermere, with distances to suit whether you are a beginner or a more experienced open water swimmer. Taking place on Friday June 12 to Sunday June 14, the registration fee for those swimming a half, one- or two-mile distance is £30, and for 5k and 10k distances it is £40., while the minimum fundraising pledge is  £150 for half a mile and one mile, £200 for two miles, £300 for 5k and £450 for the 10k super swimmers. Whatever you choose each kick that propels you forward will make a difference to the life of a disabled child. The minimum age requirement for this challenge is 16, but this rises to 18 for the 10k swim.

Stroll in the City is something a little more sedate for those who want to raise funds in a more accessible way. Taking place from June 25 at 7pm from Paternoster Square, London, you will take a beautiful walk through some of London’s most iconic sights as you soak up the vibrant atmosphere. The registration fee for this is £40 and you can choose whether you take on the 5k stroll with a minimum pledge to raise £150 or 10k to raise a minimum of £300.

For more information or to set up your own event email fundraise@newlifecharity.co.uk

The post Join Team Newlife to help change a child’s life appeared first on newlifecharity.

When Estonian runner Ida Isabel Kert takes her place at the start of the London Landmarks Half‑Marathon on April 12, she’ll be doing far more than chasing a finish time as every step she takes will help raise vital funds for Newlife.

Taking on any marathon or half‑marathon is a huge challenge in itself, but travelling to another country for a major event could feel daunting. For Ida, though, the excitement of such a challenge still outweighs any nerves.

Here she explains a little more about why she wanted to run the London Landmarks event for Newlife.

“I wanted to experience a world-class foreign running event,” she explains. “When I started looking around and found out about London Landmarks it made sense to me in a second. I love London, my best friend lives there and it’s such a major event with iconic views.”

Still, preparing for a race abroad hasn’t come without its worries – including the unpredictable Estonian weather during training and the logistics of travelling solo with no family to cheer her on from the sidelines. But for Ida these challenges are exactly what makes this journey meaningful.

“Running for Newlife really means a lot to me. Since I’m not chasing PB (Personal Best) nor my longest distance this time around, I am overwhelmed with the feeling that I can do this half-marathon for charity!

“I can’t deny that the training period has been really hard for me, so having the knowledge that I’m not doing it just for myself, or for fun, or for training, but for something way greater than that is keeping me on track. I am so grateful for everyone who was ready to support disabled children and backed my goal to help them! I truly hope to have some positive impact – and that’s what keeps me going!”

Also helping is that Ida’s friend, Anna-Maria, is taking part in the half-marathon – and is running for Newlife too.

“This is my second half-marathon, but it’s also special thanks to the fact that I’m able to do it with my best friend right next to me. Since she is not a big fan of running, to say the least, it means the world for me that she is willing to do it to show her support to me.

On another personal note, Ida says pushing herself to run the London Landmarks event and crossing the finish line will prove to herself that she can do hard things and conquer hard times.

“Even when there are a lot of obstacles in the way I will show up, put in the work and just do it. If I can do it with running, why wouldn’t I be able to do it with anything else?

She also has a message for anyone considering taking on a similar challenge for Newlife: “Just start. Start slow and go past 5k, this is where the horrible feeling usually goes away!

“Running quite literally changed my life, but it happened only thanks to a fact that I stopped pushing for maximum effort speed wise and calmed down. Going further but slower allowed me to somewhat enjoy running so then running changed my mental health, my mentality, what I believe about myself, my relationship with myself and also my body.”

To support Ida’s London Landmarks challenge please visit Ida Isabel Kert • London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026

The post From Estonia to London Landmarks, Ida’s running challenge appeared first on newlifecharity.

Easter sits at that unpredictable time of year when the weather can swing from glorious sunshine to drizzle and grey skies in a matter of hours. That can make planning for the school holidays a challenge, especially when you’re trying to keep costs low.

To help, we’ve pulled together some weather‑proof, budget‑friendly ideas and activities that can keep your children occupied throughout the Easter break.

If the sun is on your side grab a blanket, pack some Easter‑themed snacks (think hot cross buns, chick-decorated cupcakes, or carrot sticks for that bunny vibe), and head to your local park, favourite countryside spot, or even your own garden. Add toys or books and you’ve got yourself a perfect relaxed afternoon. If the rain sets in you can create a cosy indoor picnic instead. Just scatter cushions on the floor, pile up some blankets, and enjoy the same treats in dry, snuggly comfort.

Creating some sweet treats to eat is an easy way to capture your child’s attention for a while and a great way to tempt them away from screens, so if Easter has left you with a mountain of chocolate turn it into a family fun activity. Choose easy-to-make cookies or cake bites – just mix melted easter egg with your favourite cereal and a little golden syrup and pack it into cupcake cases – then just top with mini eggs. Alternatively, you can fold your chopped up chocolate it into your cookie dough for some creative bakes or making your own chocolate bark by adding melted chocolate on to a tray (extra points for swirling different colours together) and adding colourful edible sprinkles or dried fruit. As well as getting children to mix the different ingredients together, let your children feel all the ingredients as they are added for some extra sensory exploration.

Egg decorating is a great Easter activity and can be a fun way to pass the time. Simply hard boil some eggs and when they are cooled decorate them with some non-toxic paint, stickers or stamps. You can also add different types of material to them for sensory appealing textures, such a brightly coloured ribbons, bubble wrap, fuzzy or fluffy material. This activity isn’t just fun; it can also help with fine motor skills too.

For a longer, more involved craft, create your own Easter egg salt dough decorations. Just mix two parts plain flour with one part salt and one part water, knead into a smooth dough and roll to 5mm-1cm thick. Then you can cut out egg shapes (or bunny or chick shapes) before they are baked at 100°C-140°C for 2-3 hours until hard. Once cooled, paint and decorate them together, but be sure to add a small hole before baking if you want to hang them as decorations or attach them to Easter cards.

If you want your children to burn off some energy, create a mini Easter sports challenge. Ideas include an egg and spoon race, or a bunny hop obstacle course – which can also be done indoors if the weather is bad. For obstacles you can use whatever you have to hand such as piles of cushions, rolled up blankets or boxes.

A scavenger hunt either around the house or in the garden is the perfect way to keep children occupied for a while and encourages problem solving skills. Leave visual clues for them to work out at each stage so they can find their ‘treasure’ at the end in the shape of their favourite treat.

Creating space for calm moments is important too, so make a calm-down glitter jar which can help children regulate their emotions. Not only can they be fun to make together you can then take it out with you wherever you go. To make, fill a jar with warm water, clear glue, and pastel glitter, or use clear hair gel and the glitter colour of your choice, then add different size Easter confetti and small objects such as small rubber ducks. If a jar isn’t practical, use strong freezer bags which are completely sealed.

If you need some quiet time to re-charge, then some story-time snuggles are in order. Just grab some Easter-themed books from your local library, book shop or charity shop, or check what’s available online. If the weather is nice head outside for some fresh air reading (add a blanket if the air is still a bit chilly) but curling up on the sofa can be just as magical.

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