Teatime Tuesdays
Bringing families together through food, fun and connection
Teatime Tuesdays is a family-focused initiative developed by Community Learning and Development to create welcoming opportunities for families to connect, learn and spend time together outside the school day. Delivered initially in Mossbank before expanding to Brae, Ollaberry and other areas, the programme combines practical activities, shared meals and informal support in a relaxed environment shaped by local needs.
The initiative grew from conversations with families and community partners, which highlighted a lack of out-of-school activities for children and families in some rural communities. In Mossbank, the closure of the local after-school club had left fewer opportunities for families to come together, while transport challenges could make it difficult to access activities elsewhere. Staff also recognised that some families felt disconnected from their community or were hesitant to engage with school environments.
Listening to families and building the programme
The project began with discussions and questionnaires involving families in Mossbank. Feedback showed strong interest in opportunities for children and parents to take part in activities together after school. Rather than providing childcare or entertainment alone, the aim was to offer purposeful activities that supported wellbeing, confidence and learning through shared experiences.
The programme was designed to bring families together in a welcoming environment, strengthen relationships between families and services, reduce social isolation, provide practical skills, and create informal opportunities for people to access support and advice.
Activities and partnership working
Sessions combined cooking, crafts and physical activity, with families sharing a hot meal at the end. At Ollaberry, for example, activities ranged from boccia, archery and golf to making sausage kebabs, pizzas and chicken wraps, alongside marbling, clay modelling and lino printing.
Teatime Tuesdays was delivered through collaboration between Community Learning and Development, Active Schools, school staff and the Library Service. In Brae, families used home economics facilities and took part in activities within the community library, helping raise awareness of local resources and services.
Impact
The strongest evidence of success came from the families who attended. Many returned week after week, creating a welcoming atmosphere that felt like a community club.
The programme helped reduce isolation by giving parents opportunities to meet others, share experiences and spend quality time with their children. Families who previously had little engagement with school became more comfortable accessing the building and interacting with staff, helping schools feel more welcoming and community-focused.
The informal setting also enabled families to seek advice and support, with parents increasingly approaching staff for information, signposting and help with other services.
“Teatime Tuesdays has given us the opportunity to learn together as a family. The activities are fun and practical, and it’s great being able to learn new skills alongside my children. It has also given us more confidence to try things together and connect with other families in our community.”
Parent, Teatime Tuesdays
Learning and next steps
The programme highlighted the value of co-designing activities with families and adapting delivery to local circumstances. Partners are now considering how future sessions can continue to reach families who would benefit most while maintaining the welcoming and inclusive approach that has been central to the programme’s success.
Contribution to the Shetland Partnership
This project contributes primarily to the People priority by helping individuals and families build confidence, strengthen relationships, improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation. It also supports Participation by encouraging families to engage with local services, shape future activities and play an active role in community life.