Daily Free Stay and Play
Everyday afternoon from 12.30pm – 3pm weekdays during school term time children who are under five can bring their adults along and play all afternoon for free.
Our team of volunteers put on fun creative activities, messy play, stories and so much more in our purpose built fun venue in Charlton Park. As parents ourselves we know sometimes every family needs to get out of the house, wear the kids out before bed, meet and make friends and be part of a wider community.
No need to book, just drop in.
Posh beans on toast
You know you have those days when you get home and just don't want to stand in front of the cooker for the whole night. Well I had one of those nights last night.
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Food hub
French Toast
Posted by Tara Masand · March 14, 2019 1:14 PM · 1 reaction
Bread and butter pudding with a difference
Posted by Tara Masand · February 09, 2019 9:49 PM
Chicken pie
Posted by Tara Masand · February 06, 2019 3:26 PM · 1 reaction
Fareshare Partnership
Help us cut food waste
Working with Fareshare the Big Red Bus Club will be helping to redistribute surplus food. Deliveries are Tuesday and Thursday, families can help ensure they help cut down food waste by come along and just taking whatever surplus items provided by our local Tesco Stores.
Help others
We know cooking can be tough, especially when your exhausted, on this blog you can share your hints, tips and recipes so you can help other families in the same situation. Just email Tara on party@thebigredbusclub.com or on Facebook with your words and images and we will post it up! Here's our last blog to give some ideas, find out more>>
Family Friendly English Support
When you are ready for the next step there are some great family friendly ESOL providers in and near Charlton. Here are just a few Entry Level 1 ESOL providers, Alex and Iryna will be happy to help you contact them.
In Greenwich Entry Level 1 ESOL classes are provided free.
Robert Owen and Pound Park Children Centres Wednesday 9.30am - 11.30am its only £2 for a creche, where they will love after your under children under five years old while you learn.
Robert Owen to find out more>>>
Pound Park to find out more>>>
At Brookhill Childrens Centre there is no creche. The course is free and is on Mondays 1pm-3pm to find out more>>>
Alex has kindly provided some online links to help practice English
Bikes and BBQ
Two novice cyclists joined Emma Mason and Susie Goss joined veteran Big Red Bike Club cyclists Steve Tull, Jay Masand and Annie and Matt Drewry to undertake our gruelling annual 100k bike ride in aid of the Big Red Bus Club.
Although the amount is still to be counted cyclists have raised at least £2000 this year, with the novice cyclist doing an amazing job of training throughout the year to get ready for the big day. Emma Mason said;
"This charity challenge has been great in terms of raising money for a great cause, building cycling distance, fitness and fun. I've laughed so much and enjoyed exploring picturesque parts of London while getting fitter. A win, win for the Big Red Bus Club and me".
Riders who set off nine hours earlier and had spent just over seven hours in the saddle were greeted by volunteers and their families who welcomed the cyclists home to handmade banners and a well deserved burger. A huge thanks to Sue Christensen the support car driver, Helen O'kelly for the endless supply of brownies and Aum, Cat and Carl who organised an amazing volunteer BBQ.
A great day had by all.
Baby Blues Choir
Our free Baby Blues Choir meets every Friday morning during term time 10am-12pm which supports positive mental health through song and friendship.
Just roll up for a unique blend of catchy songs, relaxed choir teaching and under five stay and play, which all adds up to support mums that feel a little isolated.
We are a group of mums, just waiting to welcome other mums.
So come along and spend time with your children, make new friends and get access to support and information on other services to help improve family wellbeing.
One mum summed us up;
"I love singing and I think it's good for wellbeing. My family is going through a very difficult time and it's good to some "positive" activities."
Here we are in action at our family Christmas concert;
The latest Baby Blues Choir news>>
Local bikers raise over £3k cycling 100k
On September 30th eight riders undertook a grueling 100 kilometer (65 miles in old money) bike ride in aid of the Big Red Bus Club Stephen Channing Annie Drewry, Matt Drewry, Val Hnachuk, Jay Masand, Ellie O’Leary, Steven Tull and Anthony White.
Although donations are still pouring in the day long ride has raised so far £3067.74 with a noticeable match funding donation of £317.50 from Marex Financial.
The route, which can be viewed online, started on the rolling hills to Gravesend, across the Tilbury Ferry and through the scenic parts of Dagenham and Rainham marshes before heading back to Charlton via the Woolwich Ferry.
It was a wonderful day, the sun shone, the wind was slight, and the riders enjoyed the day. The support vehicle staffed by Mike Graser and John Keys kept the riders fuelled and in peak physical condition throughout the day.
Val Hnuchuk who neither broke a sweat, or showed any signs of physical exertion lapped the other team members while videoing the whole day. What joy!
Please do take a look here on our Facebook page>>
Big Red Bus Club Chair, Clare Welburn said
"I am delighted with the effort, energy and enthusiasm of the Ferry Good Bike Ride team. Whilst getting fitter and faster on their bikes they have enabled the club to buy new equipment and improve our play centre. I am so grateful to everyone who got involved - whether they rode on the day or were part of the support crew or sponsored the cyclists. It was particularly exciting that two of the team employers were able to match fund their cyclists donations. Thanks again to everyone who made this happen".
Super Worm comes to Play Plus
What a great time we had today. Super worm was the story we explored and we we did this in loads of ways...
We had our tuft tray filled with slimy spaghetti and tweezers, as the children arrived that was the thing they all headed for. We had some worm play dough mats, where we had to make long worms and short worms. We also had a wonderful time with our new bug hunting equipment, looking for bugs outside. We found little jumping flies and worms and looking at a shiny spider web through a magnifying glass is so fascinating.
Our sensory area was lit up with fish tubes and our disco lights. But what we all loved was the animals coming to visit. Colin the cockroach and Marvin the Millipede. We even fed some beaded dragons.