BYOB – Bring Your Own Baby to Urbis
June 21st, 2009‘Baby Boom’ , Urbis, Every Tuesday, 10-12am, Free
A babies and toddlers group has been proving popular at Manchester’s Urbis for culture vultures and their chicks. ‘Baby Boom’ is the latest addition to the family programme of events in the city’s magnificent contemporary exhibition centre. The facility offers parents/carers the chance to entertain their little ones for free in a cultural space. Based inside the exhibition centre, ‘Baby Boom’ will run every Tuesday between 10 am and 12 noon.
An antidote to the ‘stuffy’ and ‘anti-child’ reputation other cultural venues have been painted with recently, ‘Baby Boom’ contributes towards the ‘for everyone’ attitude Urbis prides itself on. Youngsters are given the chance to play with a variety of soft toys, games and story books whilst their parents/carers get the opportunity to socialize. ’Baby Boom’ was developed following a decision by the learning team members to officially invite babies into the exhibition centre. Caroline Heap, Learning Officer at Urbis comments: “The aim of Baby Boom is to encourage babies and their adults to feel welcome and comfortable in the gallery environment, hopefully encouraging them to come back to Urbis and giving them the confidence to explore Manchester’s many cultural offerings.”
‘Baby Boom’ has already been extremely popular with local families and visitors from all over Greater Manchester, with numerous Sure Start Centres visiting en masse. Caroline said: “We consulted parent visitors about what they wanted from a session for babies and the activities have gone from strength to strength since then.”
Taking advantage of ‘Baby Boom’ as an opportunity to meet other parents, discuss their child’s development and find out about other support available in the city, many arrange to meet friends at the session, meaning that it has begun to form a social network and another layer of support for families in the city. Mum Angela Hulme – a user of Baby Boom comments: “It’s great to spend time catching up with other mums in the city in surroundings that are as cool and contemporary as Urbis. It makes a welcome change from the community centres and church halls which although are very nice, are usually a bit out of the way and are the only option when looking to take part in an activity of this sort. Urbis gives us total freedom without the worry of being noisy or feeling followed around by a member of staff scrutinizing your every move.”
The iconic building is ‘baby friendly’, complete with a changing area and buggy store. Visitors are asked to bring a packed lunch to suit the needs of their little ones. Baby Boom also offers food and drink for carers at concessionary rates. Tea, coffee and chocolate brownies are offered at just £1 each and are served in Urbis foyer, so that mums can still keep watch on their brood while enjoying a hot drink or snack.
Tags: Manchester Attractions, Urbis