A young group of litter pickers was seen cleaning up Beaminster playing fields last week.

Ripple Workshop's Beaminster Young Parents Group and their little ones met at the playground, litter pickers in hand to take part in the NSPCC's fundraising Childhood Day Mile.

The determined young families all managed to move a mile as well as litter picking, raising enough money to pay for 13 calls to Childline. 

Ripple Workshop is a community interest company, which was launched in October 2022 by Kate Brook and Eileen Haste.

They aim to run inclusive, participatory, creative and practical projects initiated by the ideas and needs of participants themselves and the young parents group is their first project.

Kate has a background in social work and Eileen in community arts. Each have worked in different fields of work but both get inspired by the same basic things; the potential we all have to shine whatever our circumstances, if we only get the chance.

Having both taken time off work to raise a family, they found it difficult to get back into work and so over many cups of coffee came up with the idea of starting their own company.

Kate said: "We work with the social prescribing team to identify where there is a gap in provision, then we'll make it our business to learn what it is participants would like to do.

"The parents we have joining us at the moment are a wonderfully positive group and are keen to give anything a go. Their energy and enthusiasm to take part in the NSPCC's fundraising day is testament to this."

The young parents group meets at the Prout Bridge Project in Beaminster on a Friday morning from 10am to 11.30am. It has been hugely supported by manager Paula Tuff, as well as receiving support from the Beaminster Trust.

This friendly, fun and supportive group is for young parents (aged under 25) to come together with other young families to do a wide range of activities such as soft play, painting, baking, crafts, messy play, cardboard box adventures, and now even litter picking! 

Eileen and Kate are keen for the group to be led by the needs and ideas that come from the amazing young parents, such as sensory activities and a French themed session. Citizens Advice and the food bank are also there at the same time and the group is free, including refreshments.

Now that the group is established, Kate, Eileen and the young parents are looking to reach out to the wider community and are hoping to invite people in from all corners of Beaminster who may have a skill or a hobby to share with the group.

Eileen said: "We would particularly love to bring people from the older generation together with young parents so that people from these different age groups have an opportunity to share experiences and to see what everyone has to offer."

If you have an idea you'd like to share or would like more information, email [email protected], or call Kate on 07903 279 713 or Eileen on 07879 280 334.