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What is Family Focus?
Family Focus is a key project strand of Gloucestershire Libraries National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status, supported by the Arts Council for 4 years. Family Focus will include a Family Festival and a continuous programme of events and activities offering vibrant creative and cultural opportunities to enrich literacy and storytelling experiences for families across Gloucestershire.
The main target age group is early years children and their families, aimed at spending quality time with families and communities to increase social connection and using creativity as a theme for reduction of anxiety and improvement of mental health. This non-digital project will focus on increasing creativity, dexterity, learning, literacy, and interaction with others.
Library Littles
Located in 30 library sites, Library Littles offers a magical space for early years children and their guardians to delight in reading, sensory play, and song.
Designed to support early language development and pre-literacy skills, Library Littles focuses on a relaxed ‘learning through play’ approach, fostering opportunities for children to express themselves creatively and imaginatively.
What to Expect:
- Interactive storytelling with our Library Assistants
- A range of toys and equipment for your child to explore and interact with
- Exciting themes such as ‘Under the Sea’, ‘Out in Space’ and ‘Jungle Safari’, changing every month
- Bi-weekly or monthly sessions depending on location
Family Festival
The Gloucestershire Family Festival, held during October Half Term 2024, brought the joy of storytelling, reading, and creativity to families across the county with events hosted in Dursley, Oakley, Hesters Way, Matson, and Cinderford. Over the course of the week, approximately 600 attendees enjoyed a vibrant mix of activities themed around Fairytales and Fantasy, including The Enchanted Cinema, storytelling sessions, outdoor learning, science experiments, arts and crafts, LEGO building, sensory play, face painting, and more.
The festival aimed to bring the wonders of books, reading and imagination to all children, with a particular focus on reaching underrepresented and isolated communities. By hosting events in accessible non-library venues such as community centres, family hubs, and schools, the festival connected with families who might not typically visit a library - resulting in signing families up as library members.
Read more about the week here: Gloucestershire Family Festival 2024 | Gloucestershire Libraries
Planning for Family Festival 2025 is now underway.
