v EMAIL: editor@herald-publishing.co.uk v 29th January 2026 • The HERALD • Page 49 KIDS ZONE Technology Helps Hospital Early Years Education To Share Young Patients’ Learning With Their Parents Piggles Early Years, which provides early years education to children whilst they are patients at Southampton Children’s Hospital, is helping families stay up to date with their child’s learning through the use of new technology. Tapestry, a childhood education platform so ware, is enabling educators to capture key moments of a child’s development and to share these securely with parents and carers. Now supported by Southampton Hospitals Charity, Piggles Early Years was launched in 2018 by Caroline and Edward Martin in memory of their daughter Harriet, to provide early years education to children who were receiving hospital care and were unable to attend traditional early years provision. It’s a vitally important part of children’s development and learning and Piggles helps to ensure it remains a focus alongside young patients’ clinical needs. e partnership with Tapestry is helping Piggles to create a picture of each child’s unique development and to share this easily with families. Lorraine Smith, Practitioner at Piggles Early Years has helped to introduce the technology and explained how it was working: “Tapestry means I can quickly upload pictures, videos and comments which help me to record their development and learning. Parents and carers can securely access their child’s Tapestry account and this means they can stay in touch, even when they’re not together. This means a great deal. They also tell me that they really appreciate being able share their as I see them and keep up to date with parents’ comments as well. I spend less time doing admin and have more time for the children and their families.” child’s special learning moments with extended family members, which is wonderful.” Ben Case, a former early years educator and now Education Adviser at Tapestry, has been working with Piggles to provide access to the so ware and has found it an inspiring project: “It’s been a privilege to work with the team at Piggles to help support the amazing work they do. Tapestry is designed to help educators and families work together to support a child’s learning which feels particularly relevant in this case.” Tapestry is also helping the team at Piggles to make the most of their time as Lorraine Smith explained: “Previously I had to hand write observations and print photos for a paper booklet to capture each child’s development and learning. Now, I can tap on a photo or video and it goes straight into a child’s online journal. I can type in observations Lorraine Smith Practitioner at Piggles Early Years uses Tapestry to share young patients learning UNIQUE RETAIL POP-UP SHOP Unique Retail would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited and supported their popup shop at Hythe Library before Christmas. It was a fantastic day, they were especially grateful to the library team for their continued support in making this event possible. ey are thrilled to announce that, following the success of December’s event, they’ll be continuing the pop-up shop into 2026! e rst date is Thursday 12th February, 10am – 1.30pm, in the Narnia Room at Hythe Library. Go along and browse a wonderful selection of handmade gi s, fabrics, and haberdashery, perfect for cra lovers and gi seekers alike. ey look forward to seeing you there! LIONS BOOKSTALL Romsey Lions hold their regular book stalls in e Cornmarket, Romsey. eir next book sales will be on Saturday 14th February and Saturday 14th March from 9am to 2pm. ey welcome donations of good quality paperbacks for the stall and also gi s for their bric-a-brac section. Donations can be taken along to the stall on the day of the sales or alternatively you can call: 0344 963 2463 to arrange for a collection to be made. Lions are both men and women, and there are no age restrictions to membership other than you must be over 18. ey are approachable people from many walks of life, and they enjoy an active social life. A few hours a month are all it takes to help others less fortunate in the community. If you would like to learn more about being a Lion and make new friends then get in touch with them on: secretary@romseylions.co.uk or contact them on their direct club telephone number: 0344 963 2463. e Lions have a motto ‘Ordinary People Doing Amazing ings’. And they do year a er year. Ashurst & District Ladies Probus AGM Ashurst & District Ladies Probus are a very friendly group of Ladies and would love to see you. ey meet on the 3rd Thursday of every month at e Happy Cheese, Ashurst at 11am. ey have a speaker every month on a great variety of topics and a erwards most of the members stay for a lunch and general chat. eir next meeting is Thursday 19th February for their AGM. ey would love you to go along, it’s a lovely way to spend the morning, with some interesting, informative speakers. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact Marian Quantrell, Treasurer on: 023 8029 2381 or: 07849 410323. Swiss Railways A-Z Part 2 Railway Correspondence and Travel Society (RCTS) and Mid Hants Railway, Solent Branch meetings are held in association with Mid Hants Railway – Southampton and Waterside Group. Meetings are held at Junction Church, 2 Romsey Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9FE and commence at 7.30pm. e room, on the rst oor (sorry no disabled access), is usually open from 7pm. A bar is available for refreshments. eir next meeting is on Wednesday 18th February for Swiss Railways A-Z Part 2, from 7.30pm-10pm. A donation of £3 is usual to help with the costs of the speaker and room hire. Non-members are very welcome at their meetings. Further details can be obtained from John Godfrey on: 07850 220009 or email: solent@rcts.org.uk
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