soho play project

[invisibleplanet]

i'd like to show one of my community projects to no-future as it develops, if that's ok with the board?

i've embarked upon a community project which will transform a much used local play zone in the area i live (soho).

The aim is to involve the children in the transformation of their play zone from a 1970's tarmac and corrugated iron 'knee-grittingly' outdated ball-space.

I'm meeting the man who can make all this happen next tuesday for lunch, and involving our local government councillor, whom I will invite also to this meeting, and then hopefully, we can move forwards.

I'm really lucky to have several friends who work in Urban Renewal Projects, who have pointed me to the bodies who can provide funding for such community driven enterprises.

I'm really looking forward to working with the children to develop this area into a pleasureable play area, but there's a ton of beaurocracy to plough through before this can happen.

I don't know if any of you have heard of the New Opportunities Fund (UK)? They are an monetary award body, linked I believe to the Lotteries Commission, who provide funding for community projects such as these. We've already been successful in gaining funding from the New Opportunities Fund for the setting up of one after school club in our area, so I'm really hopeful for this project to go forwards.



As No-Future is an international board, I wondered if any of you are able to provide images or pictures of play areas outside of the UK, to broaden my knowledge, or website urls with superb play-space ideas.

[Basic 2: The Revenge]

Soho in Huddersfield?

[invisibleplanet]

soho in wakefield, central england

[Basic 2: The Revenge]

wakefield, huddersfield - near enough. You can see Emley moor tower from both. There are plenty of play areas within the UK that are good models too, and are more likely to be replicated due to standards imposed. There are many round Glasgow at the moment, but I think a lot of these were funded by splintered housing associations that have tried to dissassociate themselves from the local councils. I will find out the full picture....

[mr franks]

Originally posted by invisibleplanet
1970's tarmac and corrugated iron 'knee-grittingly' outdated ball-space.



reminds me of the places i used to frequent as a kid in batley. i think its very good what u are up to IP. btw my aunt lives in Osset, Wakefield but i dont get up there much....

[dirtyho]

@IP
I have some friends who do a lot of community work. There stuff is mostly music workshops with kids and things like that but they are very experienced at getting funding, dealing with bureaucracy etc. They do corporate work to pay for the community side of it, as well as fundraising. I'll put you in touch if you want.
http://www.redzebra.org.uk/

[invisibleplanet]

i'm not from round these parts, mrfanks, and sometimes it's a bit 'royston vasey' up here (in fact the creators of 'the league of gentlemen', of which i have watched one episode, studied 'drama' here in wakefield, at Bretton Hall, so I can see where they got their inspiration from :|)

many in this community don't realise that they can be actively involved in changing their environment - it's a long term-deprived area, still recovering from pit-closures, and i think most folk are too busy getting the next meal, and looking after the kids to turn their mind to such unpaid projects.

[invisibleplanet]

yes please dirtyho, that's a nice idea, thankyou

i bought the url invisibleplanet.org.uk as webspace for infos for projects with vision such as this - nothing online yet..i know a few experienced community artists here whom i can involve when it comes to drawing the childrens vision out of them.

i want to use use my talents to give something back to the people.

[platinumray]

my lady friend does great work for the rockingham estate play group association. their associated with other environmental groups in elephant & castle. you may be able to get info here...


http://www.gln.org.uk

http://www.londonplay.org.uk/playground.htm

it's very rewarding work but also very tiring.

[invisibleplanet]

thanks platinumray! great infos in the urls u gave me, which will help in constructing the webpages for the soho play project. i've never done anything like this before, so it's really helpful to have other projects as a guidance template.

thanks ²everyone for your support!

[Fully Automated]

too right!

[Sheridan]

IP: you seem to always be involved in some really cool things. I hope that it goes well for you. good luck.