Children's play receives lottery boost

The Big Lottery Fund has awarded Herefordshire over £300,000 for children’s play, thanks to a bid put together by Herefordshire Council.

The council took the lead on the development of a play partnership and funding bid last year as part of a nationwide drive to improve play facilities. 

Working in partnership with representatives from the voluntary and public sectors, children and their communities were consulted and more than 700 surveys were completed by school children countywide.  The results showed that children wanted more time playing outdoors in the natural environment having adventures and better facilities for older children, particularly 11-16 year olds.

The Play Partnership identified projects which were then put forward in a strategy and submitted to the Big Lottery Fund earlier this year.

The Big Lottery Fund has announced that four projects have been approved for funding, including a cash grant for the Hereford City skate park project.

The other three projects will run for three years.  They include a community play ranger project to be run by the Herefordshire Nature Trust providing free play sessions for 3-16 year olds based on nature and adventure across the county.

For the older children, a part-time youth worker will be appointed to
co-ordinate a range of activities for 11-16 year olds in the evenings and during school holidays working from the council’s youth service mini-bus, taking activities out to young people.

Kids First, experts in play for children and young people with disabilities, will be running special play sessions for children with severe disabilities and their siblings in the school holidays.
 
Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people, said:
“This funding provides a major boost to the county’s play portfolio.  “We are extremely grateful to the people on the play partnership who have spent so much time identifying what needs our children have and exploring new ideas to help meet those needs. 

“The county’s children have told us that they want to enjoy the outdoor environment more.  They want to be able to have adventures and take risks, yet feel they can play and socialise safely too.

“This funding will allow the development of four exciting new projects which will help children of all ages and abilities enjoy doing what they like best – playing and socialising with their friends.”