Up to 12m of the money will be shared among 32 local authorities to deliver children's play projects, while the remaining 1.46m has been awarded as part of the 'playful ideas' programme which supports innovative projects taking a creative approach to play.
This is the second round of funding from the Big Lottery Fund's children's play programme for improving or developing play provision (News, 5 January 2006). To access the cash, local authorities have to improve or develop play strategies and ensure they work in partnership with local agencies such as voluntary and community groups.
One of the projects to benefit is Brent Children's Play Service, which has been awarded 741,336. Councillor Bob Wharton, Brent's lead member for children and families said, 'This money is very good news for the children of Brent. It will allow the Brent Children's Play Service to provide exciting and fun play opportunities in all areas of the borough.
Children will have access to supervised play that will be physically challenging and intellectually stimulating and most certainly fun.'
