DO you have a child aged four and under with sight loss? Do you wish there was more support in your area to help them develop through play?

Guide Dogs is expanding its My Time To Play programme, bringing fun and supportive group sessions to those parts of South and West Wales with the greatest demand.

Led by qualified Habilitation Specialists, My Time To Play is completely free and is designed to help children with sight loss to develop a broad range of skills and encourage them to use their non-visual senses.

Chloe, who has been attending sessions in Gowerton with her one-year-old son Louie, said: “It’s been more rewarding than I could have imagined. It’s a relaxed, safe space and both myself and Louie are really benefiting from the sessions. I only wish I had discovered it sooner.”

The programme includes an assessment with a Habilitation Specialist. This is designed to help identify any additional support a child may need.

Habilitation Services Manager, Branwen Jones, said: “Habilitation Specialists understand the importance of early intervention for babies and young children with a vision impairment, and My Time to Play is designed to give them the best possible start in life.

“We offer structured, fun, and supportive sessions for children and their families, each based around sensory stories and related activities including songs, crafts, yoga and music. Parents will be able to meet others in a similar situation, share experiences and pick up skills and knowledge to support their child’s early years development with confidence.”

Free online resources complement the group sessions and contain useful information and guidance, as well as a nursery rhyme songbook with fun actions, and activity sheets.

If you would be interested in attending My Time To Play sessions in your area, email [email protected] or call 0800 781 1444.