nunsmoorcentretrust.files.wordpress.com · Web viewThe project was successful in providing a safe...
Transcript of nunsmoorcentretrust.files.wordpress.com · Web viewThe project was successful in providing a safe...
Nunsmoor Centre Trust Summer Weekend Play Project
General Overview
The Nunsmoor Centre Project was focused on increasing the amount of time spent
outdoors and participating in physical activity for children aged 0-12 in the local area.
To fulfil the project aim the Play Rangers engaged children and families through the
use of crafts, sport and physical activity, and free play in three zones (Zone A,B and C).
Zone A consisted of sports including ping-pong, bikes, football,scooter, hoops and toys,
Zone B consisted of arts and crafts with paints, accessories and colouring materials
and Zone C was messy play with sand, water play and quiet area, in collaboration with
the FOOTSTEP’S Nursery. The weekend sessions were structured in three zones
where the participants had to book in advance for the desired zone and get 45 minutes
in each of the zones. The rangers would then clean the area and equipment ready for
the next family this would be repeated throughout the day at the end of each family
session. The play rangers took an hour starting at 11.00a.m. to clean and arrange the
equipment for the day. Activities were delivered, by supporting the families in their play
sessions. Activities were planned and prepared prior to each weekend. Depending on
the age range and capabilities of the children there was a range of either/or sport and
craft see figure 1.
Crafts Sport Equipment Messy Play
Kites Ping Pong Bikes Spades
Painting Basketball Scooters Rakes
Birds and finger
painting with
feathers
Football Karts Buckets
Colouring General games Hula Hoops Animal Shapes
Fence paint using
lollipop sticks
Balls Sieves
Play Dough crafts Basketball Hoops Water Play
Drawings Seesaws Foam using soap
Glitter Art
Figure 1- Range of Activities and Equipment
Play Rangers began tidying away equipment between 5.00 and 5:30p.m. This helped
to ensure efficiency and punctuality regarding the closing of the centre and provide
families with time to end their activities and help to pack up. Attention to the way
sessions ended and clearing and cleaning was undertaken needed extra time and care
due to unexpected circumstances of coronavirus where all equipment had to be
cleaned thoroughly and put away therefore more time for this procedure had to be
allocated.
The project was successful in providing a safe space for the community’s families and
youth during the summer and the challenges of Covid 19., It was enjoyed by all
involved. This was also a safe place for the children in a time where facilities were few
over the summer break since everything had been closed , not all venues had been
able to reopen and the families had been in lockdown. It gave the children an additional
motivational boost to be seeing other children and young people as well as involving
parents in interacting and playing with their youngsters..
Diversity In The Community
Across the project 30+ ethnic backgrounds used the play project and participated in the
activities provided. The booking system evidenced that we had a wide range of
ethnicities booking from Pakistani to Indian to English nationalities as well as children
and young people with additional needs. The numbers of those with a diverse range of
needs was higher than in our previous years' Summer Play Projects. We weren’t able
to accommodate the same numbers as last summer due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
This meant that not all the children and young people from previous years were able to
attend. We were very sorry that this was the situation but it was important, for
everyone’s safety, ,that numbers were carefully controlled We missed some of the
children and young people from previous years. We hope that next year we will be able
to welcome them all in the normal way. However, the booking system and the
attendance of people has been excellent. The Summer Play Project definitely provided
a safe meeting place for children, young people and parents from all different cultures
and backgrounds in a Covid safety compliant way.
Highlights
The equipment provided by the centre was well received by the parents and children.
The arts and crafts at Zone B being especially popular. Differently from last year, this
was the most popular activity where children would spend the most time and was the
most heavily booked zone. This appeared to be influenced by the change in the way
we had to work. It was extremely positive to see parents being more engaged in that
zone with their children. We found that the number of young people attending on their
own had reduced substantially this year (the over eights who previously did not need a
parent in attendance). The bookings were mostly families with small children as the
parents were in charge of making the bookings and attending with their children. It has
been unfortunate that we were unable to accept young people on a drop in basis as in
past years due to the pandemic situation. The children thoroughly enjoyed the messy
play and also made that area a quiet zone to chill and play with their siblings. There
were many positive comments regarding the art and craft area which was very well
received. The children and young people enjoyed the time and activities and spending
time with each other.
The activity packs for the children have also been a success. These were funded by
NBSE.this Summer along with funding to provide extra support for the project . We had
received a grant from the Dockray Fund to support the main running of the project.
Each pack was filled with lots activities for children and young people to do at home.
Parents who wanted to keep their children occupied at home were very pleased with
them.
We received some great feedback from parents some of which have been included in
the feedback section of this report!
Barriers
Our biggest barrier for this year's play ranging has been Covid-19. As we commenced
the project it appeared to be a major challenge but, by the end, it felt as if most things
were possible despite having small barriers which could be overcome. We had to keep
parents, children and workers safe in all situations therefore, hand sanitizers, hand
gels, masks as well risk assessments were in use and adhered to. This allowed
everyone to remain safe. The rangers ensured that everyone knew all the safety
precautions and procedures in place which they needed to adhere to when they
attended the sessions...
Barriers to activities being run by staff included poor weather, ranging from full days of
heavy rain to very blustery afternoons. The weather also resulted in very quiet days
with very low attendance on one afternoon. On that occasion it prevented staff from
being able to provide sports activities because the rain was torrential Zone B was very
popular and helpful in bad weather since it was situated under the awning away from
the rain.
Time slots of 45 minutes were allotted for each zone. Some zones were more favoured
than others, some children got bored in zone A for forty five minutes but enjoyed the
same length of time in Zone B. The promotion of the Summer Play Scheme had to be
targeted, rather than an open drop in this year, due to the pandemic. Rangers were not
able to welcome young people to a ‘drop in’ service as in former years. Updates and
information was mainly spread on social media sites such as Facebook and by word of
mouth and through networking. Some improvements to this could be made by
providing newsletters to send to the regulars or e.mailing out to those attendees from
previous years who were prepared to share e.mail addresses.
The main play area was closed this year due to a delay in maintenance procedures
being completed and signed off due to the lock down This has been very frustrating
both for the rangers and for the attendees. It has meant that movement and space
were both restricted and children did not have as much freedom to run in a wide open
play area as in previous years This was disappointing for everyone but sadly another
situation which arose due to the lock down.
Practical Implications
In the future the project may benefit from having a quiet area for the children with
additional needs and want a 1-1 conversation with parents or a ranger. Further,
advertising was highlighted as an important reason some parents did not attend since
they were not aware that we were open during the summer. Some parents even
suggested that they wish it was open during the weekday too as a mid-week session
for the children to come for an hour just to play and spend time outdoor doing sports
and arts would be really beneficial. It would also be good to have the nursery for
families who requires special attention during their stay as it is a big space and
provides plenty of room to play or sit and chat.
If the booking system still remains in place in the future, the rangers would suggest that
a notice to any parent who books in and does not attend should be sent by email or a
polite phone call to them to explain that their place could potentially be taken by
someone who has not been able to make a booking as there were no spaces left, but
could have been given the space if the parent had informed the team that they would
not be able to attend and no longer needed the slot. This is something that was
observed by rangers who have been very disappointed at having to say’ no’ to some
parents and young people when there was space due to non attenders In the end
rangers did allow some parents and children to come and use the zone, on the day,
applying all safety measures, in place of the non- attenders as it seemed very unfair
that they should miss out.
Feedback from the attendees
Emma, Ethan’s Mum- “Ethan’s had a great time, he’s loved coming, we’ll definitely be
coming the next time”.
Shabab, Hamza’s Dad- “This is so wonderful initiative, I didn't even know a place
where kids can come and play around”
“I have never played with my children like this, it’s good”
“Can you show me how to make a kite my children have been asking all week” I (Patsy) said “of course, let’s all make a kite together”
Hamza said “I’m going to wait for the wind so i can fly my kite, can I take it home?”
Humera, Ibrahim’s Mum- “ This has been my routine every weekend to come here
with the kids, we enjoy it so much”
Conclusion
As the project went on it was well received by the community and there was a stable
flow of attendance with the exception of poor weather and restrictions due to Covid-19.
Also, attendance had high peaks for some regular parents who attended every
weekend and booked the same slots. The structure of the day worked well because it
allowed rangers to be flexible regarding activities they chose and the time seemed
reasonable and gave enough time to clean and prepare. The materials provided by the
Nunsmoor Centre Trust were excellent and in abundance. Also, the diverse experience
of the rangers allowed for skills to be gained, and improve the activities on offer. An
important factor expressed when conversing with parents was that the summer project
was free and readily available for the time scheduled.
As a result, we believe the project has benefited the community providing a safe and
exciting space for the families and children in the area. All feedback has shown a
desire for the play area to stay open during the Summer, at least, and ideally during
other holidays.
Ateea Riaz and Patsy Gibbons.
Play Rangers
Photographs from Play Ranging Scheme (2020)
The Activity Packs for the children
Some Arts and Crafts done by children in Zone B
Messy and Free play done by children in Zone C