There are several social ‘Open House’ groups in York and the surrounding area coordinated by local parents, offering opportunities for parents to be, new parents and those with young children to meet over a cuppa in the friendly and relaxed environment of someone's home. These groups are especially appreciated by first time parents and newcomers to the area. They are an ideal way of making new friends and meeting people with babies of a similar age to your own. Everyone is welcome to come along to any group - you don’t even have to live in that area or be an NCT member for that matter.

The following groups currently meet in our area. Contact your group for their rota on parentsupport@yorknct.org.uk or use the direct email where listed.

•  Acomb and Holgate - Fridays, 10am-12pm. Contact Lucy
•  Dringhouses and Woodthorpe - Tuesdays, 10am-12pm. Contact Becky or Kate
• Central - Monday mornings. Contact Izzy.
• Clifton - Friday mornings. Contact Vicky or Charlotte. nct.cliftoncoffee@gmail.com
• East of York villages - Fridays, 10-12pm. Contact Vicky.
• Fishergate/Fulford - Thursdays, 10-12pm. Contact Claire or Susan. fulfordandfishergatenct@googlemail.com
• Huntington/New Earswick. Contact Liz or Beth.handnenct@gmail.com
• Haxby Road/Groves - Fridays, afternoons. Contact Monica.
• Heworth - Contact Andrea.
• North West villages - Wednesdays, 10.30am. Contact Liz.
• Ryedale and Scarborough - Fridays, 1.30-3pm. Contact Judith. webby@yorknct.org.uk
• South York. Alternate Thursday afternoons. Contact Kat.
• Strensall/Haxby - Contact Emma. nct.haxby@gmail.com
• Tadcaster - Thursdays, 10.30am-12.30pm. Contact Rachael/Chris.

If there is no NCT group currently meeting in your area, then do consider starting one!  Email localnetworks@yorknct.org.uk who will give you all the help you need to get one going.

We also have a Dad's group. Contact Keir. dads@yorknct.org.uk and of course our Bumps and Babes drop-in group on Tuesday mornings.

As well as regular get-togethers, each group also organises its own activities and social events, such as:

• Teddy bears picnics
• Easter egg hunts
• Trips to the park
•  Christmas craft sessions
•  Halloween tea party
•  Pub nights
•  Bring and share suppers
•  Dads and children coffee mornings
•  Cinema nights
•  Pamper nights
•  Pudding clubs

Of course, there are also all the activities that are run branch-wide, so everyone has a chance to meet up and find out what the other groups have been doing. Check out our events listing for these. Group activities are also announced and arranged on our Yahoo group, Facebook and via Twitter.