In 2025, Spark Burntwood proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary. Since opening in 2015, Spark has grown from an ambitious community idea into a thriving family centre and registered charity supporting over 1,600 families every year.
Based at Springhill Academy, Spark now runs six days a week, offering free activities, family support, wellbeing opportunities and community connections. Our mission remains the same as it was on day one: to help families learn, play, grow, be healthy and be happy.
What started as a campaign to save local children’s centres has become a decade-long journey of resilience, creativity and kindness. Here’s a look back at some of the many highlights from Spark’s first 10 years.
2015 – Bright Beginnings
Spark’s story began with community action.
• January 2015: local families launched a petition to save Burntwood’s children’s centres from closure
• March 2015: a six-month reprieve was granted while new ideas were developed
• September 2015: Spark CIC officially launched at Boney Hay School, with centres at Springhill and Boney Hay
Volunteers stepped forward to run sessions, open buildings and welcome families. Much-loved groups including Midday Mayhem, Little Owls, Grandparents Group and Chasewater Strollers began in these early days and continue today.
Founding volunteers including Tracey Matthews, Rachel Marlowe, Shevonne Hodson-Walker, Jean & John Spraggett and Pippa Davies played a huge role in creating the Spark we know now.
2016 – Building Our Foundations
Behind the scenes, Spark continued to grow, strengthen and listen to families, shaping the services that would become core to our work today. Volunteers remained at the heart of everything we did.
2017 – Growing Support for Families
This was a big year of change and development.
• The Boney Hay Centre closed so resources could be focused at Springhill
• Spark Baby Bistro breastfeeding group launched, run by trained peer supporters
• Spark held its first Christmas Appeal, beginning a much-loved tradition of supporting families at Christmas time
2018 – Coming Together in Play and Friendship
In 2018 Spark continued to expand activities and reach.
• The first Play in the Park events took place thanks to Springhill Academy
• New projects launched including Spark Dads and the Worldwide International Women’s Group, helping people connect, socialise and support one another
2019 – Becoming a Charity
A real milestone year for Spark.
• Our first paid role was created – a part-time Volunteer Coordinator thanks to surprise local funding
• Spark converted from a Community Interest Company to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, allowing us to apply for more funding and sustain our growing work
2020 – Covid, Community and Extraordinary Kindness
2020 was challenging, emotional and unforgettable.
• Spark secured National Lottery funding for the Bright Beginnings Project, increasing family support and activity provision
• Burntwood Be A Friend Covid partnership launched with St Anne’s Church, St John’s Church and the Town Council
• Volunteers delivered food parcels, made befriending calls, helped the foodbank and supported isolated residents
As restrictions came in, Spark adapted overnight:
• sessions moved online, outdoors and doorstep-to-doorstep
• we delivered activity packs, ran buggy walks, held park sessions and Zoom activities
• in October, the Baby Bank cabin launched, supporting families with essential items
A year full of sadness and worry – but also strength, resilience and incredible community spirit.
2021 – Awards, Nature and New Projects
2021 brought sunlight after the storm.
• Spark created its Nature Garden, transforming unused space with the help of volunteers of all ages
• Spark received a High Sheriff Award for community work
• We were honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award a voluntary group can receive, often described as an “MBE for charities”
• Funding from the National Lottery Community Fund launched the Grow & Thrive project, helping with cost of living, wellbeing, volunteering and community connection
A year of celebration, teamwork and smiles.
2022 – Community Action and Celebration
Another full and exciting year:
• Mini Spark Crew children’s social action project launched
• Spark’s Community Fridge opened in May
• New sessions began at Chasetown Football Club and Burntwood Library, including the Toy Library
• The Nannie Lin Volunteer Award was created in memory of treasured volunteer Linda Davison
• Spark and Springhill Academy welcomed over 500 families for the Queen’s Jubilee celebration
• Spark supported “Warmer Welcome” sessions across Burntwood during the winter months
2023 – Connection, Confidence and New Groups
Highlights from 2023 included:
• Launch of SPLAT lone parent support group
• New Twins & Multiples sessions
• Fashion shows, pamper nights, weekend Warmer Welcome sessions and the Burntwood Buzz Club
• Spark appeared on BBC local and national news and radio discussing cost of living, childcare changes and holiday hunger
2024 – Expanding Support and Saying Goodbye
In 2024 Spark continued to grow and respond to families’ needs.
• Health Visiting weigh-in clinics and nurse clinics returned to the centre
• A new Book Club launched
• Spark strengthened support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• We joined Fuse Festival with Transition Lichfield, delivering music workshops and activities
• We also sadly said goodbye to Steph Edwards, a much-loved volunteer, whose kindness and contribution will always be remembered.
2025 – Looking Forward
In Spring 2025, Spark received wonderful news:
• The National Lottery Community Fund renewed funding for Bright Beginnings – Grow & Thrive for five more years
This allows Spark to continue delivering family support, wellbeing activities, volunteering opportunities and community connections across Burntwood.
Thank You to Everyone Who Has Been Part of Spark.
Across 10 years there have been hundreds of groups, projects, friendships, events, cups of tea, shared tears and shared laughter – far too many to list.
Volunteers, families, partners, funders, schools, churches and community organisations have all played a part.
From day one our belief has remained the same:
It takes a village to raise a child.
Thank you for being our village. Here’s to the next ten years of bright beginnings!