Introduction
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council recognises the importance of play for all children in the borough and that opportunities to play should be safe and freely chosen by the child.
“Every child needs to play freely in order to grow into a healthy, happy, creative and confident adult. Every child wants, and will seek out, opportunities for play. It is the responsibility of the community to ensure that each child has access to a variety of stimulating play opportunities.” (Open for Play – PLAYLINK 2003)
Community Development Officer (Play/Youth)
The Community Development Officer (Play/Youth) has been in post since October 2005.
The main responsibilities of the post for play include:
- To motivate,enthuse and support local groups to provide play opportunities within their local community
- To provide advice as appropriate on issues affecting children and young people, including child protection and effective engagement with the under 19’s.
- To manage and promote the Locally Managed Play Scheme Grant Scheme Fund
The Locally Managed Play Scheme Grant Fund is aimed at meeting the needs of 5 -15 year olds during school holidays. The scheme gives local organisations the opportunity to receive help in setting up safe, quality play environments.
An information guide entitled ‘A guide to starting a locally managed play scheme’ is available through the Community Development Officer (Play/Youth)
For further information please contact;
Mike Nicholls, Children and Young People Officer,
Tel: 01256 845338 Email: mike.nicholls@basingstoke.gov.uk
Childrens Play Programme
Big Lottery Fund
In March 2007 Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council submitted an application to the Big Lottery Fund for Play Lottery Funding. After extensive consultation a portfolio consisting of five individual projects was developed entitled Promoting Positive Play Opportunities for All.
At the end of June the Borough was notified that the application was successful. The next three years will be an extremely exciting time for children, young people, providers, stakeholders, local communities and volunteers as the projects are developed and delivered.
The project names include:
Mobile Play Scheme
This project will provide a flexible mobile play facility that will make available short-term play programmes in rural areas across the borough during school holidays, supporting existing provision also encouraging community involvement and support from village halls, church halls, schools and community centre’s in such areas. Basingstoke Play Ltd will lead on this scheme taking a mobile play van to rural villages and hamlets, in some cases where there are little or no facilities for play available. Using the village green and open spaces demonstrates that you do not necessarily need a building to provide stimulating and fun play opportunities.
During the May half-term holiday the newly launched Mobile Play Scheme will be visiting the grounds of the Clift Meadow Pavilion, Bramley, an open space off Rooksdown Avenue at Rooksdown, a field off Church Lane, Cliddesden and the Heathlands play area at Penwood.
The scheme will run during all school holidays, visiting various locations in the Basingstoke & Deane area. Contact Victoria Robinson at Basingstoke Play Limited for more details on 01256 844847.
Growing Adventures in Basing Wood
Basing Wood is a Forestry Commission property adjoining Popley Fields Community Centre and will provide natural play structures in zoned areas and alongside trails. The development of engaging environments will help children and young people develop the ability to assess personal risk during adventurous play. A bike track facility primarily for 11+ year olds will be provided through block of mature trees and a section of a circular bike trail around the wood, this will expand the open area adjoining the community centre into the woodland to encourage exploration beyond the centre. The project will also include sensory play involving textures and sounds that can be sited away from the central zone. A fantastic play experience for all the family!
This project aims to involve the local community with a series of coordinated ‘play building days’ over 2 years. If you and your family want to be involved in this exciting project, we would like to hear from you. Please contact the Community Development Officer (Play/Youth).
Please visit the Forestry Commission website to view volunteer opportunities and activities coming up in 2009.
Play Opportunities for Children with Special Needs
Located within Maple Ridge School, Basingstoke and also at open access play schemes provided by Basingstoke Play Limited, this project aims to promote and provide quality provision for children with special needs within mainstream and dedicated provision as appropriate to the children’s needs. Providing training to existing staff and providing high quality out of school play schemes with specialist play workers for those children who have difficulties with social interaction and experience difficulty in play with other children.
A successful pilot scheme was launched in December 2007 for the children of Maple Ridge & Limington House Schools. Subsequently a Saturday morning ‘Stay & Play’ session will commence early February 2008 on alternate weekends between the schools.
Skate Park Plus
This project will refurbish and enhance the existing skate park in the War Memorial Park, install new features and open the park to BMX users. Aimed at 11-16 year olds, the skate park has become degraded and no longer presents the challenges young people are seeking, consultation with local skateboarders and BMX riders has shown that the park would be better used if this was addressed. An expansion to the current features will enhance the whole experience, providing a modern, credible and safe facility from which young people will directly benefit.
Play for Penwood
Penwood is a small rural community in the Parish of Highclere, on the edge of the borough. The aim of this particular project is to refurbish a run down, poorly equipped play area in an isolated community. By improving and extending the existing scheme young people in the local area will have an improved space for social interaction and access to informal play opportunities. The enhanced scheme will include a ball games area; also play equipment including toddler multi-play unit with slide and junior multi-play unit with slide. This is a much needed facility and is within easy distance of the village hall where many other activities take place.
The final phase of this fantastic project was completed in April 2008 and is now ready for the children and young people of Penwood to enjoy.
A launch will take place between 11.00 -1.00pm on Friday 30 May with a photo-call at 12.45pm including representatives from the Big Lottery, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council (Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Development, Cllr Clive Sanders), Local Parish Councillors and members of the local community. The Mobile Play Scheme will also be on site to provide lots of fun things to do, and help make this an enjoyable occasion.
Other Opportunities for Play in the Borough
The Borough Council supports Basingstoke Play Limited who provide after school care, holiday care schemes, open access and special needs play schemes within Basingstoke & Deane.
Basingstoke Play Limited, Winklebury Community Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke, RG23 8BN.
Tel: 01256 844847 Email. playcouncil@btclick.com
The document available to download below details 2009 Summer Open Access Play Schemes operated by Basingstoke Play Limited (supported by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council). For further details please contact the Basingstoke Play Limited directly.
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JJs Play |
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Is a large indoor activity centre for children up to 12years. It has a separate toddler play area with parent and baby seating. There is a cafeteria on site serving hot and cold food and drinks. Children’s parties available, some occasional events and additional activities take place.
Open 7 days a week.
Unit B, Morse Road, West Ham Industrial Estate, Basingstoke
Tel: 01256 350544 www.jjsplay.com
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Play Days
Has multilevel play equipment for 0–11years, with toddler and junior ship with cannon ball park, straight and spiral tubes, 4 lane astro slide, sky glide, spy holes and more. There are activity panels and soft blocks for the younger pirates, in their own fenced play park. Including an area with comfy sofas for parents to sit back relax, also a 100+ seater café and smaller tables for the younger ones.
Open 7 days a week.
2 Stewart Road, Kingsclere Business Park, Basingstoke, RG24 8NF
Tel 01256 346173 http://www.cherubsplayworld.com/ |
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Fun House |
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Is an indoor play centre, with cafeteria serving hot & cold food & drinks. Children’s parties are available.
Argent House, Whitney Road, Basingstoke, RG24 8NS
Tel: 01256 471066
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Milestones Museum |
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Milestones Post Office |
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The museum also runs two facilitated programmes, 'Tweeny's Shopping Trip' and 'The Post Office', which are suitable for 3 to 5 year olds and take place on Fridays during Hampshire term time. Delivered by experienced staff members, both programmes include dressing up, role play puzzles and games. To find out more or to book a place contact the museum..
01256 403905 |
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Action Farm
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Set in Britain's rural heartland in the valley of the River Enborne you can explore the farmyard and meet the animals, then have an adventure in one of the playgrounds. Whatever you choose to do at Children's Action Farm, the emphasis is on getting involved and having fun! Eat a picnic by the lake or in the Barn Cafe. With extensive undercover areas, barns and indoor play activities there is something for all weathers.
Supervised activities include; Tractor trailer ride, bouncy castle, bottle feeding the lambs (seasonal) also pet the rabbits and guinea pigs.
For more information visit www.familyadventurefarm.co.uk
Action Farm Newbury Road A339 Headley Newbury Berkshire RG19 8JY Tel: 01635-269678 |
Busy Bees
Bizzy Beez Pre School Classes Daily from 09.30am
From Sitting Babies to 5yrs we have a Bizzy Beez Gymnastic session for each child!
Using our specially designed pre-school apparatus – mini beams, sunken trampoline, barrels to roll in and soft play - gymnastics helps develop balance, co-ordination, strength and flexibility.
From drop-in parent & toddler playgym sessions to fully-coached classes, we offer a range for all. Gymnastics is an ideal foundation for all sports, all coaches British Gymnastic Association qualified and CRB checked.
Contact; Basingstoke Gymnastic Club, Active Life Centre, Stephenson Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke, RG21 6XR
Tel: 01256 352858, Email: info@basingstokegym.co.uk www.basingstokegym.co.uk