Play Torbay get Big Lottery Funding
02 December 2011
PLAYTORBAY is to receive more than £300,000 from the Big Lottery
to support and develop three state of the art adventure play
areas.
Based in Hele in Torquay, Blatchcombe in Paignton and
Summercombe in Brixham, the play areas will be free to local
families and will encourage greater participation in
community-based recreation.
The new facilities will build on the developments at Fort
Apache, Wild Fox and Indigos Go Wild adventure playgrounds where
children and families are already involved.
Tanny Stobart, Chair of Play Torbay, said: "The Big Lottery has
awarded us a total of £335,116 over three years for the play areas
planned in our 3 Bay Ventures project. It's fantastic
news.
"It will make such a difference and help to create greater
community cohesion with families and local people. There will
be lots of opportunities for children, parents and community
members to take part and get fully involved in the running of
provision and community-led activities.
"We are seeking to demonstrate the benefits of community
involvement in the management and maintenance of local play
spaces.
"We believe communities can bring play spaces to life and,
through their contribution, can become hubs for wider community
activity.
"Communities can take a lead in developing and managing the
places where children play, and local people can be a catalyst for
positive change.
"The project will support local people to access a variety of
training and outdoor skills including design and build, bushcraft,
risk benefit assessment, first aid, questing and outdoor
games. It will also encourage volunteers to become qualified
playworkers."
Cllr Chris Lewis, Executive Lead for Children, Schools and
Families, said: "Congratulations to Play Torbay on winning this
marvellous funding from the Big Lottery. Children's play spaces are
part of the fabric of community life. Providing the best places
possible for children to be able to play together will always be a
priority for communities themselves because they know that children
playing are happier, healthier and more resilient than children who
are not.
"Over the last two years feedback and growing involvement from
local parents and children in the three communities in Torbay is
encouraging and this announcement will be important news for them."
For further information please contact: Tanny Stobart on 07725
860407 or email tanny@playtorbay.org.uk
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