Priory Lodge of Acton

More than 100 families will benefit from Half Moon’s Creative Play programme providing essential drama and movement-based outreach sessions for disadvantaged children aged 0-5, and their parents and carers, in Tower Hamlets, thanks to a generous £40,000 grant from London Freemasons.

Tower Hamlets currently faces significant challenges, with the End Child Poverty Campaign highlighting it as having London's highest rate of child poverty at 47.5 per cent. Local schools have identified a critical need for interventions addressing behavioural issues, physical health, social skills, communication challenges, and general school readiness among young children.

Creative Play addresses these challenges directly, offering a 10-week series of workshops to support children with their active play delivered in collaboration with children's centres and nurseries. Sessions use imaginative play to encourage communication, socialisation, and developmental milestones through activities easily replicated at home. An example includes an imaginative journey through a magical forest, meeting animals, climbing spider webs, discovering magic castles, and dancing with butterflies.

The sessions are delivered by experienced facilitators and an Access Worker, supported by Half Moon's Creative Learning team, ensuring personalised attention and appropriate referrals to Early Help hubs for families needing further support.

Previous Half Moon projects using similar methodologies show promising results: 70 per cent of participating children demonstrated significant improvementin social engagement, and by the end of the programme, 100 per cent of families reported increased social interaction, substantially reducing isolation.

For Creative Play, Half Moon aim to see improved social, emotional, and behavioural development in at least 65 per cent of participants, enhanced family connections, and reductions in social isolation.

The grant from London Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, funded by Freemasons, their families and their friends from across England, Wales and the Channel Islands.

Androulla Constantinou, Head of Creative Learning at Half Moon, said, 

“We’re incredibly grateful to London Freemasons for this support. Creative Play is more than just drama and movement; it’s a lifeline for families facing significant barriers. This programme helps ensure that all children, regardless of background, have the chance to thrive.”

Paul King from London Freemasons said:

“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to support Half Moon and the essential work they do; their Creative Play programme aligns with our mission to make a positive impact on disadvantaged children. We believe that our funding will help provide critical resources and support, fostering better health and development outcomes for these families.”