Sheffield's first parenting group for same-sex couples launched to help children understand diverse family structures

The group is held at Rattle and Roll Playspace, just off Abbeydale Road in Nether Edge, and aims to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for same-sex parents to bring their children.

It was launched by Anne Connolly, founder and owner of Rattle and Roll, with the help of cafe supervisor Katy Middleton-Groom.

Katy, 30, and her wife Nicola, 33, used an unknown sperm-donor to conceive their one-year-old baby girl, Dolly.

She said: “I think it is important that not only the children with same-sex parents but the other children see that it is normal. Most families nowadays are more accepting of it but I feel there is still a little bit of stigma around same-sex parenting and a little bit of ignorance. I think people always just presume mum and dad so its nice for everybody to see that, for example, children like Dolly are not aliens just because they’ve got two mums.

“We’ve got quite a few lesbian friends that have got children so Dolly is quite lucky, although at the minute she doesn’t know any kids with gay dads or two dads so it would be nice for her to meet them. I think the more she meets children in a similar position the less she’ll feel singled out when she goes to school and things like that.”

It is believed the group is the first of its kind in Sheffield and it has already proved popular with members of the LGBT community.

Anne added: “We’ve had loads of feedback on social media, and had our posts shared by the LGBT community in Sheffield. So many people have said this is a great idea and that there’s nothing like this in available. There is a group for same-sex couples when they go to fertility clinics and go through that stage of it, but in terms of after the baby is born, there is no group.

“We’ve got some books that have got stories in from the view of children that are conceived via a sperm-donor that explains that in a child friendly way. In the space we’ve also got sensory rooms and a playroom so they can just play and be children – we’re not sitting them down and doing a talk or anything.

“During the time the cafe is open as well and we’ve also said on our social media page that it is a good conversation starter, even if you’re not in a same-sex relationship, they can then talk to their children and say that this is normal.”

The group takes place weekly on Friday mornings between 10am and 12pm. For more information call the cafe on 0114 255 9241 or visit the Rattle and Roll Playspace Facebook page.