A new resource for Reigate parents, by Reigate parents
Find My Reigate - Where parents can find the information, inspiration and confidence to get out and engage with the fantastic community on our doorstep.
Reigate, Surrey: Today sees the launch of www.findmy-reigate.co.uk, a new website with supporting social media profiles that has been created by three local parents to provide a single go-to resource for all things parenting in the Reigate area.
The parents behind Find My Reigate all moved to Reigate in 2016 and went through similar struggles to find a single source of information to help them discover things to do with their young children.
Kerry Doyle, the mum with the original idea for Find My Reigate and a Reigate resident for 16 years recently returned from working in South Africa to find that life was very different; “When we came back to Reigate in January 2016 so much seemed familiar, but in reality everything had changed. Now I had a 6 month old daughter along for the amazing journey and my needs and hers were completely different to my old life.” Kerry goes on to explain the process she had to go through; “I had no idea what there was to do with her in the week and so I began the laborious process of scouring the Internet and gathering endless leaflets for baby groups and activities, guessing at what she might enjoy and then just trying them out one by one by one.”
Emma Freeman, the other mum behind this new resource for Reigate parents who had just moved to Surrey from South East London with a newborn and a toddler, met Kerry at one of these local baby groups and discovered they had shared frustrations; “I liken meeting new mummies to blind dating; An unfamiliar venue, a brief chat with a crying baby on your hip and a toddler clinging to your leg, and then the awkward attempt to get the phone number of the people you click with, to make sure you see them again.” Emma highlighted what she hopes this resource will offer; “I found it difficult to find the local groups of the area listed in one user friendly place. When you spend your day dealing with tantrums, failed naps, teething babies and endless nappy changes there needs to be a quick, easy and inspiring way of getting you all out of the house and entertained for the day. That is what we hope to create in Find my Reigate.”
What started as a little idea has turned in to a real labour of love. Between Kerry and Emma they have tried out over 25 baby and toddler groups. Emma’s husband, Craig Freeman, works in digital marketing and got involved for similar reasons to his partner; “Before we moved to Reigate I searched for some useful websites that detailed daily groups and meet ups for parents with young children but I couldn't find anything that balanced useful information with well written content and a pleasing design. Therefore when my wife mentioned that a mum she had met at a baby group had an idea for an online resource for parents I was immediately interested.” Craig referenced their own needs as a key reason for getting involved; “When I met Kerry and we talked things through in a bit more detail I was immediately hooked, mainly because we all wanted this resource ourselves.”
Reigate families are lucky to live in an area that offers numerous activities, but sometimes it can seem overwhelming especially when you are yet to build a support network around you. Parents of young children all have limited time in the day so these three parents have worked hard to bring all the local groups and activities together in one easy place.
The site is designed in a user friendly format where you can search by name, type of activity or day of the week at the click of a button. Find My Reigate is fully independent. It has been built and developed around the busy life of these families with no external funding. The site does not charge to list the groups in order to provide a comprehensive resource which is not driven by sales or commission.
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About: Find My Reigate is a new website where parents can find the information, inspiration and confidence to get out and engage with the fantastic community on our doorstep.
Key features of Find My Reigate:
•Easy to search listings of local baby and toddler groups each with key information
•Tips and reviews of these groups based on first hand experiences
•Ideas for meeting other local parents
•Collated links to postnatal and antenatal resources
•A blog that will provide ideas, inspiration and information
•Social media profiles to reach and engage the wider community
Future plans:
•Expanded listings to include groups and activities held at weekends
•Adding suggestions of family friendly day trips
•Further tips and reviews will continue to be added
•Termly updates to all group listings to ensure accurate data
•Tie ups with family friendly local businesses
Photos of the parents involved can be provided on request.
Contact:
Email address: findmyreigate@gmail.com
Kerry Doyle - 07966138160
Craig Freeman - 07793022925
Website: www.findmy-reigate.co.uk
Facebook: Find My Reigate
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FindMyReigate
Instagram: http://instagram.com/findmyreigate