Pod helps children brush up at playtime
Last updated 13:33, Thursday, 17 July 2008
THE success of a play pod project at a Hexham school, and the safe play environment it has created, have been celebrated with the help of an urban artist.
The pod has been adorned with brightly coloured designs depicting children and play by urban artist John Craggs, and now features everything from rainbows and planets to footballers and skateboarders.
The facility, located in the grounds of Hexham East First School, is the result of a successful collaboration between Northumberland County Council’s Early Years and Childcare Service, Hexham Partnership of Schools Extended Services, Tynedale Council, Hexham East First School, Hexham Children’s Centre and Milecastle Housing.
It is aimed at providing an exciting and stimulating play environment where children and young people are free to choose what they do and while there is a maximum number per session, children are free to come and go as they wish, with under eights being dropped off and picked up by a parent or guardian.
Since the first pilot play session at the pod in February, nearly 200 children have benefited from play sessions there and to mark the milestone last Saturday, designs were painted on to the structure by children, volunteers and other supporters of the project.
Play development co-ordinator for early years and childcare services at Northumberland County Council, Janet Orrock, said: “We got the idea of a play pod from a similar project that was very successful in Bradford.
“It provides a great opportunity for children and young people in Hexham to take part in supervised play sessions that are free.”
Manager of the Hexham Children’s Centre located at Hexham East First School, Lesley Grieve, added: “The play pod has been a great addition to the services that are becoming available in Hexham and highlights the work that is done in partnership with many agencies who work with children and young people.”
Tynedale Council’s play project worker Chris Affleck consulted children at Hexham East First School and representatives of partner agencies to come up with design ideas.
He said: “I think we have come up with a fantastic design for the pod, which everyone involved has really enjoyed being part of. It is a great addition to a fantastic play facility.”
