RAINBOW HOUSE at Wesley Memorial

The idea of a children's café was brought to us at Wesley Memorial in 1984, and after some discussion and negotiation, we opened Rainbow House on 1 May 1985.

It took a while for the news to get round Oxford, but by August 1986 we were seeing so many customers that we knew we were well and truly on the map! It was a that point that we decided to simplify things by insisting on customers of pre-school age, with a carer (who is responsible for keeping an eye on the child throughout the visit). This saved the little ones from being run over by bigger children on the toy bikes!

The project is run by a paid coordinator who organises a team of volunteers to prepare and serve snacks and lunches at a good price. Anyone with a small child is welcome to drop in, meet friends, let children play, and buy refreshments. All are welcome between 10.30 and 2.00 every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during school term-time. We have plenty of space for the toys, book corner and climbing frame, and facilities for changing babies. We welcome mums who want to breast-feed, and we are happy to provide child-size portions of any item on the menu that can be down-sized!

The project is very popular - we have received many compliments, and grateful comments, gifts, and help from volunteers and parents/carers.

Our 20th Birthday was a very happy occasion - see below!

Balloons and many hands!

Lucy,who used to be a tiny customer, and is now aged 24, cuts the birthday cake with Alice, present customer aged 4.

For information on the project, contact the church office