ETAPP - Enfield Temporary Accommodation Play Project

About ETAPP:

ETAPP is a play and support service for families living in temporary accommodation. We provide high quality play facilities for the children this includes arts and crafts, messy play, large toys, singing and story time and a big space to play in. We also offer advice, support and information for the parents on many issues.

A Health Visitor is available at each session for you to discuss any concerns you may have about your children’s health, behaviour and development. We run an ESOL class each Thursday for those that wish to improve their English skills and we can provide interpreters when needed. ETAPP is at Trinity-at-Bowes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 10am and 12noon.Just come along to register with us, we look forward to meeting you for a hot drink, a chat and the opportunity to meet other parents.

ETAPP aims to:

• Support the social, health and emotional well-being of children and families
• Prevent children from becoming developmentally delayed, having behavioural problems and being educationally disadvantaged as a result of their homelessness
• Provide a service which is easily accessible to homeless families, and which facilitates access to other mainstream services.
• ETAPP provides a range of activities that aim to promote children’s healthy development and well-being, including:
• Play facilities for pre-school children to develop their gross motor skills, fine motor skills and imagination
• Provision of fresh fruit and promotion of healthy eating habits. Children are encouraged to sit at a table when they eat, to encourage social skills
• A library service with mother tongue and dual language books provided by the Ethnic Communities’ Librarian at Enfield Library Service
• A singsong time at the end of each session, that teaches rhythm and enjoyment of music.
• ETAPP also provides important advice and support to homeless families, including:
• Health, behaviour and nutrition advice
• ESOL classes
• Outreach visits to families in temporary accommodation
• Language appropriate parenting support groups facilitated by Enfield Child Guidance Service
• Signposting and referrals to local services. ETAPP works closely with other services that support refugees’ health needs. There is also multi-agency working with housing, education, social services, local libraries, the Children’s Information Service and voluntary sector projects.

Benefits and positive outcomes

For many refugee families, the sessions are their only access to play activities for children and social contact with other parents. Other outcomes for children and families include:

• Improved health and emotional well-being
• Earlier identification of developmental and educational needs
• Families being connected to health providers and other services that work with children
• Parents improving their English skills
• Reduced isolation and stress, with parents being able to make friendships and offer each other support.

Contact persons: Project Coordinators

Sue Pritchard (HV)
Lorinda Knott (NNEB)
Tel: +44(0) 1992 765 900
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