About Us
The Helensburgh Bounce and Tickle group was jointly established by the Helensburgh and Lomond Home Link Project and the Library Services in March 2001 as a song and rhyme session for young children. A members group and Management Committee were established in January 2002. This gave the users ownership for the group. The group now successfully manages itself and the Library Services and Area and Community Services continue to support us. Since then the group has grown substantially. We cater for parents/carers and children from newborn to school aged. And provide a variety of different activities and learning experiences:
- Bookstart Rhymetimes
- The Storytellers
- Bounce and Tumble
- Toy Library
Our song and rhyme sessions have continued to develop. In 2004 our activity leaders trained in Makaton sign language, sign language has been proven to help develop language skills in the very young. October 2007 saw two of our activity leaders attended the Bookstart Rhymetimes training. As a result, we have made subtle changes to our sessions. If you have attended Bookstart Rhymetime session elsewhere you will find some of your old favourites and perhaps some new favourites too. Bookstart Rhymetime Sessions are now held eight times a week at five different locations. (click here to go to the Bookstart Rhymetime Website)
In February 2008 we launched The Story Tellers. We were very fortune to have a leading expert, Ruth Kilpatrick, provide our Activity Leaders with excellent training in developing storytelling.
In March 2008 our activities leaders under went TOP training, to provide them with skills required to develop active sessions for children aged 1-5yrs. We are hoping to launch the new sessions in April 2008.
In May 2006 we took over the running of the Helensburgh and Lomond Toy Library.
The group has a Child Protection Policy in place to ensure the protection of the children we work with. Also all our activity leaders have been Disclosure Scotland checked.
Bounce and Tickle is a Scottish Charity which relies largely on donations and grants.
Aim and Objectives
The aim of the group is:
- To advance the education and development of young children with an emphasis on using nursery rhymes, songs, story telling, physical activity and play.
The objectives of the group are as follows:
- To encourage and help parents/ carers to bond with their children by using nursery rhymes, songs, storytelling, movement and play.
- To introduce very young children, with their parents/carers, to the local library and make them feel comfortable and welcome.
- To provide activity leaders to organise and run the sessions and activity managers to be responsible for the day-to-day running and organisation of the group.
- To have regular members' group and management committee meetings in order to evaluate the service, to respond to members' needs and ensure the smooth running of the group.
- To keep links with the Social Inclusion Partnership area in Helensburgh and other local groups and update parents about other relevant activities and training opportunities.
- To further the group by keeping up to date with current initiatives regarding young children and their development.
- To lend the best toys available to the toy libraries.
Management Committee
| Chair Person | Paula Darbyshire |
| Vice Chair Person | Karen McGourlay |
| Secretary | Trish Chalmers |
| Advertising Secretary | Pamela Freeman |
| Vice Treasurer | Kathleen Daly |
| Fundraiser | Paula MacAllister |
Activity Managers
- Admin: Victoria Fletcher
- Finance: Carolyn Williamson
Activity Leaders
- Anna Rogers
- Susan Wilson
Supply Activity Leaders
- Helen Mills