Minutes:
Dee Dixon and Anne Youmans were present from Goldhill Adventure Playground, and provided the following information:
· 1,500 young people were registered at the playground, which was open 5 nights a week, 3-6pm.
· From 9am-6pm, other events took place including a food bank, which had been in operation for 18 months and saw 63 families on a regular basis from all over the city. Referrals for the food bank could come from schools, advisory agencies. Self-referrals were taken, as some people in work were also struggling. The food bank was advertised on Goldhill Facebook page, and people were asked for a donation, but was free if a child went to Goldhill.
· The food bank had the use of five fridges and seven freezers. Food came from Fare Share on a Wednesday and included frozen items. The Co-Op also delivered on a Wednesday and included bread, vegetables and fruit.
· On Tuesday evenings, a free hot meal was prepared for families, including grandparents looking after children. Some families also took a meal away for an elderly person.
· The playground shop sold items at cost price not for profit and was cheaper than normal shops. Items such as shampoos, soap powder and deodorant were free to ensure parents got items that they needed but unable to afford.
· The playground worked with young people with additional needs from moderate to severe, two nights a week, and offered respite for parents, and also helped to develop a child’s social skills.
· The Gold Club was run during the day on two days and provided older disabled users the opportunity to use the centre to learn life skills such as shopping, baking.
· The playground worked with children with behavioural problems excluded from school. Paid for by the school, it prevented children from being on the street. The playground also worked with primary school age children and had been very successful in keeping children in school.
ACTION: Information to be brought to the attention of the Assistant City Mayor with responsibility for Education (Cllr Cutkelvin) on the supporting work of primary school children.
· Although the playground offered alternative provision, it was first and foremost an adventure playground.
· With regards to funding received, £138k was grant applications, £116k from core funding, and £120k to run the playground. £1,000 funding had been received to put up an arm barrier to keep travellers off the site.
· A grant of £200 had been received towards a Christmas party on 18th December 4-6.30pm. There would be free giveaways, Santa and presents, toys on the table. A collection from Aldi on Christmas Eve of free food parcels would also be made.
· A Christmas Dinner on December 6th 11.30am-2.45pm was ‘Buy One, Get One Free’, and was a three-course meal with a Caribbean and English menu. A raffle would also be held on the day.
· Break Bingo was held on the first Monday of the month, from 10.00 to 12.00 and cost £3.
· On Wednesdays, Golden Stars soft play took place for 0-5 years olds, from 10-12.00, and cost £1.
Posters would be left at the Pork Pie / Eyres Monsell Community Centres for information on a regular basis.