Story Makers Supports Emergency Services

IF your little ones want to call up the emergency services, Tameside Libraries’ Story Makers is the place to go.

The new sessions, which launched on October 10, are all about the emergency services, what they do, how they help us and how we can help them.

Story Makers, which started in 2017, comprises weekly activities for pre-school children and their families and early years settings. They fit in with the Tameside Loves Reading campaign and are funded by Tameside Community Safety Partnership.

Each year, more than 1,000 children aged four and under have attended the sessions in libraries and on Zoom since the first series was held.

Families who attend will help to create a picture book, this time with writer Susanne T Schroder and illustrator Andy Rowland. Susanne has worked with Waterstones and children’s magazine Kaleidoscope, and is the author of “The Donkey’s First Christmas” – a best-seller. 

Every child who attends the sessions receives a free copy of the picture book at a special event next spring.

Sessions take place with Simon the Storyteller and no reservations are necessary:

• Droylsden Library:  Tuesdays 9.30 to 10.15am.
• Ashton Library: Tuesdays 1 to 1.45pm.
• Dukinfield Library: Wednesdays 1 to 1.45pm.
• Zoom sessions are on Wednesdays (10 to 10.30am) – email book.start@tameside.gov.uk to get a weekly link.

Cllr Sangita Patel, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for culture, heritage and digital inclusivity, said: “Whether it’s ambulances, police cars or fire engines, children love the emergency services, their uniforms and their vehicles.

“Our new Story Makers sessions offer a great chance for pre-school children to learn more about them. There’s even a chance a few police officers may turn up to some of the activities just to add a bit of extra excitement.

“If you want to get involved just pop into one of the libraries when there’s a session. There’s no need to book a place.”