Aspire Foundation

Supporting Children and Families across Cheltenham & Tewkesbury

Aspire Foundation is a registered charity running five Children and Family Centres and five Early Years settings across Cheltenham and Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire. We’re a place where families feel welcome, supported and understood. Children can play, learn and grow, and parents and carers can find practical guidance from people who genuinely care.

We work closely with the NHS, Gloucestershire County Council and a wide range of community partners, so families can find the right support from pregnancy right up to age 11.

Our Children and Family Centres

We run five Children and Family Centres: Gardners Lane, Hesters Way and Oakwood in Cheltenham, and Noah’s Ark and Brockworth in the Tewkesbury area. Each centre is a safe, friendly place where families can meet others, find support and join activities that build learning, confidence and connection.

Our centres offer baby hubs, stay and play groups, SEND inclusive sessions, parenting courses, antenatal and perinatal support, community events and seasonal activities. Whether you’re a new parent, a carer, a dad looking for support or a family who just needs some advice, you’ll find a warm welcome.

Children’s Activities

Our activities are designed to support early learning, social development and family wellbeing. They help children build communication skills, confidence and positive relationships.

Sessions include creative play, sensory exploration, music and movement, story time, SEND inclusive groups, baby hubs and dads only Stay and Play, which we run in partnership with Dad Matters. Our programme changes throughout the year, so take a look at What’s On to find sessions that suit your child’s age and stage.

Early Years Education

Our five Early Years settings are at Gardners Lane, Hesters Way, Noah’s Ark, Oakwood and Rowanfield. They’re nurturing, play based environments where children develop the skills they need for school and life.

Children learn through play linked to the EYFS, with a dedicated key person and highly trained practitioners. Our indoor and outdoor spaces encourage curiosity, communication and emotional wellbeing, and we offer inclusive support for children with SEND or additional needs. Funded places are available from 9 months to school age at selected settings. Eligible working parents can get up to 30 hours a week from the term after their child turns 9 months, all 3 and 4 year olds can get 15 hours, and some 2 year olds are eligible for 15 hours too.

Family support and Early Help

As part of Gloucestershire’s Early Help offer, we’re here to help at the earliest stage, before small worries become bigger ones. Our Family Support Workers give practical, friendly guidance on things like routines, behaviour, sleep, weaning, toilet training and emotional wellbeing.

You can get support in the way that suits you best. Our Coffee, Chat & Connect Parent Drop‑In Sessions are a relaxed way to meet our team and other parents, with no appointment needed. We also offer one to one support at home, parenting groups, Early Help referrals and signposting to specialist services. No worry is too small, and asking for help early can make a real difference for the whole family.

Part of Gloucestershire’s Family Hub Network

Aspire Foundation is a proud delivery partner in Gloucestershire’s Family Hub Network. You can visit any of our centres in person, or explore Gloucestershire’s Virtual Family Hub online for resources, service directories and parenting information.

We work alongside Gloucestershire County Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, NHS midwifery and health visiting teams, Caring for Communities and People, Speech and Language Therapy, Young Carers and other voluntary organisations, so families get joined up support wherever they are.

Get in Touch

You’re always welcome to contact us if you’d like to know more about our centres, Early Years places or activities, or if you’d like to talk about working with us. Our team is happy to help and will point you to the right service or centre.

Children and Family Centres | Early Years settings