Hammocks promote a sense of balance

Our Kids Hammock is suitable for children up to the age of 6
£24.95 from Garden Boutique

Whether in the nursery or the garden, a kids hammock is the ideal refuge for young children - and is perfect for naps (especially if kids feel they are too old to go to bed during the day)

We all know that gentle rocking has a calming and soothing effect, but did you know that swaying also promotes the sense of balance? - a very important development for young children

Garden Boutique stocks fair trade hammocks for babies and children.

Our folding baby hammock is very popular with new mothers
and comes complete with a folding stand
£59.95 from Garden Boutique

Our baby hammocks are very popular with new mothers. One of our customers found them so useful at keeping her baby happy that she bought a folding baby hammock for each floor of her townhouse!

Our striped baby hammock has delicate fringed edges and a colorful stripy finish
£54.95 from Garden Boutique

Our striped baby hammock is another popular choice and can be used in combination with our baby hammock stand.

One World Action helps disabled people in El-Salvador become self-reliant

Interesting article about a hammock making co-operative in El-Salvador, and how it is changing the lives of disabled people with the help of a grant from One World Action.

Read the full article in the Independent on Sunday

"After recruiting a dozen locals, some blind, deaf, crippled or unable to speak, they decided to start a business making hammocks. The facility opened last year. Today, its brightly-woven hammocks sell in markets for $60 (£39), meaning that each worker earns about $10 a day. They learn to make hammocks but are also taught financial administration and marketing skills, which could one day allow them to start their own businesses.

The facility also doubles as a health centre, providing the community with its only doctor and dentist, and allows many co-operative members to receive their first ever proper therapy for their disabilities."