The vision for the Tove Valley Centre (TVC) was first given to members of the Tove  Valley Baptist Fellowship (TVBF) around 30 years ago and building began in early 2020, just before the pandemic began to impact the community. Over the last few months, the importance of the TVC as a place where people will be able to access the support that they will need due to the impact of the pandemic has become increasingly apparent.

TVBF has a long-standing history of serving the local community, particularly children and families, despite not having its own building for the last 20 years. One of our Elders and staff members is a designated Youth, Children and Families Team Leader. As the title suggests, Melanie leads a team of dedicated volunteers working with children, young people and families delivering groups and activities such as a Tots Group, Youth Club, Residential Activity Weekends, a Summer Holiday Club and much more. Throughout the pandemic, Melanie and her team have done everything that they can to remain in touch with the young people and families that previously attended groups, to be a listening ear and to provide on-line activities where possible, including a virtual Holiday Club in August.

Marcus Rashford has been effective in drawing our attention to the difficulties faced by low-income families, even under “normal” circumstances. The present coronavirus crisis has exacerbated the situation for such families where jobs have been lost or income reduced. However, there is now another group of families that were coping perfectly well prior to the present crisis, but are now struggling to pay a hitherto manageable mortgage and other priority bills and to put food on the table. Both groups of families are represented within Towcester. 

The Breakfast Club will be held at the Tove Valley Centre once it is open in early 2021 and coronavirus restrictions will allow. This will be in accordance with guidance and precautions in place at the time. If necessary, some aspects will be introduced initially, with others being added in as restrictions permit. It will be facilitated predominantly by volunteers that will receive any necessary training, such as Safeguarding and Food Hygiene.

Breakfast Club will be open to all families with school age and pre-school age children. Breakfast consisting of a choice of  cereal bars, toast, rolls, fruit, milk and fruit juice etc will be made available to the children and young people. Parents, grandparents and carers will be offered tea, coffee and items such as breakfast bars and toast. Activities will be made available in the hall for children and young people to access, whilst adults will be encouraged to chat with each other or with volunteers from Tove Valley Baptist Fellowship that will be available.

The Breakfast Club will be open for around 2 hours per day, Monday to Friday during school holidays. If funding and the availability of volunteers permits, this could be continued throughout school holidays until the end of Spring Bank Holiday Half Term break, when the Project will be evaluated and a decision made about its continuation and possible expansion.