MORE than 60 children enjoyed a Madhatters tea party yesterday as part of a charity’s campaign to improve speech and language among young people.

The event, at Gorse Hill Nursery and Children’s Centre for children under four, was part of I CAN’s Chatterbox Challenge.

All money raised from the challenge, which is a nationwide event, will go towards helping the one in 10 children who struggle to communicate and are at risk of becoming withdrawn or isolated.

The money will help the charity to run training events, assessment services and Talk Programmes that ensure these children aren’t left out or left behind.

Emma Robins, family support worker, said everyone had enjoyed the day.

“We had the little ones from the Children’s Centre, so they are under three years old, and then the older ones from the nursery together, which was really good fun,” she said. “It was nice to get everyone together – the younger ones were fascinated with the nursery children.”

The event began with a singing session with songs such as Polly Put The Kettle On, before the children got stuck in to sandwiches, cakes and biscuits for their Madhatters Tea Party.

“It is all about the children’s speech and language,” said Emma. “I work with families and give them advice on this subject so it is an event which we really support and it is really good for us to make parents aware of the importance of communicating, speech and language.

“We have a variety of groups such as the parent and toddler groups which run all week and can help improve children’s speech at the centre.”

For more information, visit gorsehill.swindon.sch.uk.