Sale stay-and-play group launches urgent appeal to keep doors open as playgroups close across the area
A much-loved community playgroup in Sale has launched a fundraising appeal after a tough year of rejected funding bids, rising costs and falling attendance left the organisation struggling to survive.
4 Cheeky Monkeys, an independent Community Interest Company (CIC) supporting children and their carers through early years play sessions, says its future is now uncertain unless more support can be secured.
The group is run by centre manager Lesley, with her daughter Jeneane Warhurst handling admin and fundraising in a voluntary capacity. In a social media plea shared just after Christmas, Jeneane warned that the pressure on early years services locally is becoming “relentless” and that once these groups disappear, they are often gone for good.
“This summer alone, Park Road Playgroup (Sale), Raglan Road Playgroup (Sale) and Butterflies Playgroup… have all closed,” she wrote, adding that it is “devastating” to see safe, community-led spaces for families disappearing due to a lack of funding and mounting financial strain.
She described the behind-the-scenes reality many small settings face, saying she has submitted numerous funding applications for 4 Cheeky Monkeys this year, all of which were rejected, despite the CIC “jumping through every hoop funders have asked of us”.
“Attendance has been really low, costs keep rising and we are struggling financially ourselves,” she said.
In her post, Jeneane also shared the personal impact on the team trying to keep things running: “Lesley has gone two months without wages and I’m working entirely in a voluntary role. This is the reality of trying to keep Early Years Services alive.”
She added that the only funding donation the group has received this year was from Mark Tarry at Haven Financial Planning; support she said will allow them to replace two broken light fixtures and a leaking hot water heater – essential repairs needed simply to keep the building safe and usable.
4 Cheeky Monkeys is not subsidised or supported by a church or a large established company. As a non-profit CIC, any profit made is reinvested into the building, equipment and sessions. The group relies on fundraising, grants, donations and earned income — and the team says that model is becoming harder to sustain as costs rise across the board.
For many families, stay-and-play sessions are more than a weekday activity. They can be a first stepping stone into social life for young children, building confidence, communication and friendships through play, while also providing parents and carers with a supportive, familiar place to talk, connect and feel less alone during the early years.
Jeneane said the group remains deeply grateful to those who continue to show up and help keep it going, whether that is attending regularly, buying raffle tickets or supporting events.
“That support truly means more than you know,” she wrote, adding: “Those who love 4 Cheeky Monkeys have helped create something really special: a warm, supportive, wonderful community.”
However, she said the situation is now urgent. “We are absolutely desperate to keep the doors of Cheeky Monkeys open,” her post continued. “If you have benefited from our sessions, please help us by telling people about us, sharing our page and spreading the word.”
A Crowdfunder page has now been set up to help the CIC through the coming months, with the message that any donation – no matter how small – could make a difference. The team also stresses there is no pressure to give and that sharing the appeal is a meaningful way to support if money is tight.
Local playgroups can only survive when the community can rally around them. If you’ve ever leaned on a playgroup, now's the moment to help keep this one open!
Images © 4 Cheeky Monkeys CIC
