Awarded funding
In September 2022 we received the exciting news that from January 2023, £30,764 would be invested into The Playce Project at Boundary Way, thanks to Severn Trent Community Fund.
This blog shares the happy stories and outcomes of the project – look out for links to read stories from people who’ve been part of the project!
Natalie Cunningham, Severn Trent Community Fund, Funding Officer with Louise, Lisa, Jillian and Nina
What was the project about?
The Playce project supported the wellbeing of 1218 people by providing regular access to outdoor playspace at the Community Garden at Boundary Way Allotments, Warstones (The Playce) over 92 sessions across January 2023-January 2024. Sessions varied from Wolves in the Woods, Drop-in and Seasonal Nature Play, outdoor workshops for childminders and school groups to the launch of Outdoor Play Parties.
The project invested in four local staff to establish the project and programme long-term, and helped improve mental and physical wellbeing in the area through the safe, calm, green playspace being available on a weekly basis to reduce isolation and create community connections. We had a 77% return rate throughout the project, reflecting the deeper long-term relationships and learning that is happening as a result of this project. 57% of people visiting were from the immediate area.
“It’s really good. It’s not expensive, which is the main thing when it comes to kids. Especially, when you’re taking a couple of them out.”
Read Rosie’s story
Exploring with baskets of open-ended resources at Wolves in the Woods
What went well?
This project supercharged the Community Garden both physically and with people for the long-term sustainability of the site by:
- Increasing our year-on-year income from café, parties and charged sessions which supports our Pay As You Feel offers across the city
- Contributing over 636 voluntary hours in total to support maintenance of the site, from a mix of The Allotment Group working group, Charter Savings Bank, University partnership from Environmental Science students and Professors and Wolves Play Cafe Directors
- Deepening our relationships with plotholders and other friendly partners who use the site, including The Crafty Gardener who offer meaningful opportunities for adults of learning disabilities who also supported garden maintenance
- Actioning the University of Wolverhampton’s recommendations within their Environmental Report to support increasing biodiversity on site and developing scrub into a managed and useable woodland area
- Investing in the permanent tarpaulin within the Orchard Picnic Area, making the site more useable all-year round
- Giving the community garden a much-needed refresh, including redeveloping the kitchen space that had been underutilised for a number of years and refresh the picnic hut
Read Jillian’s story
What did people say about the project?
We recorded how people felt about the project across the weeks and also over the summer through focused consultation sessions. We used different methods, understanding the nature of looking after little ones! Tools included whiteboards, blackboards and post-its, our booking system emailing for feedback, taking photos and recording vox pops.
We loved hearing that the project helped improved wellbeing of the community according to the original aims we set out in the below ways.
Aim 1) Create access to local playspace that wasn’t there before
Over 75% of attendees asked did not know the garden was there before they came to a play session, meaning we have improved access to this local outdoor playspace and nature haven.
Aim 2) Reducing isolation of caregivers
‘I get a bit of outdoor time, time to speak to other people.’
‘I enjoy it. It’s nice to chat with other Mums as well.’
Aim 3) Reducing isolation of plot holders
‘Thank you very much for your work in bringing the community to our garden’ Howard, Chair of Allotment Committee
Aim 4) Create physical opportunities for under 7s
‘I know it’s good for them so I’m just trying to get out, try and do something with him. With it being the six weeks, if I come every week it’ll give me something to do with him. And he loves it, he’s got a lot more confident, he knows where everything is now, so he wanders himself.’
Aim 5) Support outdoor knowledge and how to care for environment for caregivers and children
‘To be honest, I’ve never even planted anything at home before. So that’s probably the biggest thing that I’ve started planting things.’ ‘ I’ve learned the names of some different plants.’
Read Roxanne’s story
Bug-spotting and identifying with Jillian, Play Leader
“She’s decided to make a worm hotel so I think long term it’s really enforced her imaginative play and that connection to the outdoors. She said to me the other day ‘I’m a gardener’. So that’s a long term thing that’s really kind of set in.”
Rachel
Read the Environmental Report
What’s happening next?
- Through the success of the outdoor play programme of The Playce Project, we have been able to secure 3 years’ funding to continue these sessions
- Through communicating the aims of the project and being present on site more, we have been able to deepen our friendships and partnerships on site, particularly with a dedicated group of plotholders who are keen to ensure the long-term success of the site. There is now a weekly working group who support us to develop the Community Garden for everyone’s benefit.
- Corporate volunteering in the Community Garden from Charter Savings Bank opened up further support from them, and this is developing into a positive long-term relationship
- The Project has opened up partnerships with the University of Wolverhampton who have resources and expertise to develop the site’s environmental footprint and long-term sustainability further.
- We are currently looking to secure funding with the Allotment Committee to now improve the access to the site as a whole including wheelchair-friendly entrance paths, compost toilets, replacement of polytunnel and a generator to make it more useable and accessible as a Community Hub
- You can come and join in our weekly Wolves in the Woods, Drop-in Nature Play and Seasonal Family Nature Play
- Or you can book an outdoor play party to celebrate your special day here!
With greatful thanks to Severn Trent Community Fund
“Through Severn Trent Community Fund’s investment, this project has supercharged the Community Garden both physically and with people for the long-term sustainability of the site, the project and its outcomes. But most importantly, it has enabled important outdoor play times and friendly space for little ones and their caregivers to enjoy being together, learn and play. We are so grateful for the project and look forward to the future of play at Boundary Way Community Garden”
Lisa, Director / Co-Founder