Live artists visit family homes, tackling stressful moments with under 5’s head on!
Tooth Fairies, Toilet Sailors, Play Inspectors and Creative Chefs knock on doors offering playful, fun and inspiring support for families.
Here find out more about our characters all created and co-designed with housing partners and families.
“There’s been a big change. Kaleb and I now feel free to do what ever play he wants. He learns quickly, repeating songs, dancing. He loves painting and even tidy up time now. He enjoys having you here, how you get down on his level. Even on days you’re not coming he’s exciting for the next time you will visit.”
– Adina, mother of three
To access our service read more about how we work with Housing, Children’s Services and Nurseries
Our Characters
The Creative Chef
Have you got problems with fussy eaters? Our Creative Chef is on hand to get your whole family thinking about different foods and making healthy mealtimes fun.
Read moreThe Toilet Training Sailor
Need help getting out of nappies? The Toilet Training Sailor knows playful ways to get your little one using the toilet.
Read moreThe Tooth Fairy
Having trouble getting your little ones to brush their teeth? A visit from the Tooth Fairy helps calm toothbrushing tantrums and establish a routine for good oral hygiene.
Read more...The Play Inspector
Need inspiration for ways to play at home? The Play Inspector can help your family enjoy time at home in new and creative ways.
Read more...The Clutter Inspector
Are you overloaded with mess and clutter? The Clutter Inspector can help your family share small spaces by creating multifunctional rooms with more space to play.
Read more...Baby Movement
Our baby movement sessions help strengthen attachment between baby, parent and wider family as well as increase physical activity and improve physical and mental development through movement, music and multi-sensory play.
Read more...Family Journey
Discovery
There are many first touch points for families to begin their Creative Homes experience: through craft packs delivered weekly to their door by Creative Homes practioners as part of our Hub to Home service, or group hub sessions at a local community venue, or through referral from a support service they already access.
“We really look forward to the craft packs you deliver every week. This week we made that bus, she played with it all afternoon,”
– Janine, Grandmother of five
Delivery
Our work in family’s home starts with a play consultation where we come and build a cardboard den, get to know them and see what areas of daily life they’re struggling with. We return for up to two home visits from a live artist who arrives in character and leads the family through an hour and half long session of songs, movement, stories and craft activities. These sessions are specially designed to build lasting, positive routines around a particular area of daily life that the family is struggling with, such as tooth brushing, toilet training or fussy eating.
‘We can’t stop singing that toilet sailor song since you visited. He’s really good now and uses the toilet whenever he needs it.”
– Barbara, mum of two
Continued use
A few weeks after our character lead visits are complete we revisit the family for a follow up session to collect feedback on how things have changed and offer any final advice they might need. We’ll then help connect them to local pathways for support with home, health and play, such as children’s centres, libraries and in house support from their housing provider.
“You’ve made it easier for the families to connect with the children’s centre. In the past it seems that the only time they’ve engaged is when they’re obligated for social services, now they want to go regularly.”
– Jackie Powell, Support officer, Ekaya Housing Organisation