ISLE OF PLAY TO PAVE THE WAY WITH NEW PLAY PATHS

A local charity has received a substantial funding boost from Manx Lottery Trust’s Thematic Funding Programme which will allow it to provide additional support for children with behavioural and developmental issues.

The £50,000 grant will enable Isle of Play the opportunity to deliver a new outdoor initiative for children aged 5 to 16 to help them build resilience required to cope with and manage stress in challenging circumstances.

Isle of Play was founded in 2018 and is an advocate for all children on the Isle of Man to fulfil their right to play by offering an array of fun and stimulating activities.

The new Play Paths project will support young people with a wide range of behavioural and developmental issues, many of whom may have been deprived of play and positive early childhood experiences. The scheme will be delivered outdoors at either the Woodland Forest School site or Lester’s Yard Adventure Playground facility.

Whether they’re delivered in group sessions or one to one, the overall aim is to take a long-term approach over a school year and beyond as the charity recognises that short term interventions cannot address the children’s specific needs. The sessions on offer will include den building, tree climbing, cooking on an open fire and imaginative play such as playing house or mothering a doll.

Chris Gregory, Chief Executive of Isle of Play, explained: ‘Playing is an essential development experience for all children, as they need the freedom to encounter challenge and risk in their everyday adventures. Recent research from the University of Exeter found that playing, taking risks, and experiencing excitement outdoors makes a positive contribution to children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

‘The effects the Play Paths will have on the children who join us will be thoroughly rewarding, so we are extremely grateful to the Manx Lottery Trust for its generous support.’

Stephen Turner, Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, said: ‘We were pleased to award Isle of Play funding from last year’s Thematic Fund, ‘Together for better’. This exciting new project will be a wonderful asset to the local community and will certainly make a long-lasting impact on the young people involved.’

This grant is from Manx Lottery Trust’s Community Awards Programme. Manx Lottery Trust has been delegated to distribute National Lottery money from The National Lottery Community Fund. To find out more, visit: www.mlt.org.im