Funding boost for organisation offering free holiday activities for children

An organisation providing holiday activities for children has received a funding boost.

Play Worcester provides leisure and play opportunities for children during the school holidays.

The funding was provided by Platform Housing Group’s Community Chest, which supplies capital injections to charities, clubs, and non-profit organisations that directly benefit its customers.

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Any potential applicants for the funding must pass a stringent set of eligibility criteria that is overseen by the Customer Voice Panel, a group consisting entirely of Platform customers.

Play Worcester, currently renowned for its work in the neediest areas of Worcester, aims to deliver free sessions to encourage children to take part in community play activities.

The sessions will be held in multiple public spaces across the city.

Chair of Play Worcester, Niki Stobbs, said: "On behalf of Play Worcester we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Platform Housing Group.

"Thanks to this funding we can deliver 50 free summer play activities for children in Worcester, living in areas of the most need.

"Children and families will be able to enjoy events delivered by our fun squads in their communities at no cost, something that is so important due to the current high cost of living."

She added: "Last year, 1300 children and families in 17 different locations enjoyed activities such as face painting, archery, arts and crafts, basketball and a climbing wall.

"Thanks to our partnership with other community support organisations, families were signposted to libraries, dentistry, education and other child specific services.

"On behalf of Play Worcester, we would like to say a huge thank you to Platform for its generosity and support of our work.”

The chief operations officer at Platform, Marion Duffy, said: "We are so glad to be able to help deliver this project.

"Play is important in children’s development physically, mentally, and socially.

"In addition, both children and their parents make connections and friendships with others in their areas, helping to build stronger communities."