21-White Young Green Planning, implementation and operation of generating assets News 220508

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Big Lottery Funding is Childs Play for WYG

The Cumbria office of White Young Green (WYG), consultants to the built, natural and social environment, has assisted its client Copeland Borough Council to secure a significant sum from the Big Lottery Fund.

On this occasion WYG has worked closely with the local authority to apply for a £200,000 grant which will allow significant improvements to be made to play facilities in the borough for children of all ages.

During the project, WYG was tasked with updating Copeland’s play strategy, carrying out a survey to identify the number of children within the borough and their age groups, undertaking consultations and engaging with local children, young people, parents and the wider community. This process ensured that responses would be representatives of users - youngsters between five and 17 yrs, from rural and urban areas and a broad range of backgrounds.

The Big Lottery Fund gives out millions of pounds from the National Lottery to good causes each year. The money goes to community groups and to projects that improve health, education and the environment. Play schemes and open spaces fully support this aim.

Speaking about The Big Lottery Fund award, Brian Kirkbride, WYG’s principal consultant who specialises in regeneration, said:

“By undertaking this exercise we were able to identify a need for wide ranging high quality play to encourage open access to safe play areas and facilities. Being able to demonstrate the need for a wide range of age groups in a safe environment was paramount. I feel on this occasion our understanding of regeneration and social inclusion along with the comprehensive consultation services we were able to provide where instrumental to the success of the application.”

As a result of the exercise a number of projects were identified including schemes which will see the development of multi-use games areas (MUGA’s) for more formal ball games; a new BMX/wheeled activity site; as well as newly equipped play areas.

Leading the project, on behalf of Copeland Borough Council, Parks Development Officer Ruth Walsh, added:

“We want children and the young people of Copeland to be able to take part in and enjoy play in all its forms in a safe environment. Thanks to this grant we will now be able to improve access to free play areas; increase the physical fitness levels of many of our youngsters; and improve social engagement skills through a mixture of open-access and fixed access facilities. This will bring major benefits to a great number of local children and young people.”

Email: Leigh.chelton@clothierlacey.co.uk