A new free play scheme, open to anyone aged between 7 and 13, has launched in Boscombe.
Every Friday between 4 and 6pm children and young people can enjoy free activities at Boscombe Chine Gardens, including football, clay modelling, parachute games, circus skills, den building and arts and crafts, all supervised by the Play Rangers. The activities are open to all 7 to 13 year olds and no registration is required. Children wanting to attend simply need to turn up and play.
The Boscombe Play Rangers scheme is the newest of several similar projects in Bournemouth and is delivered by Barnardos through a contract with Bournemouth Borough Council. The project is fully funded by the Big Lottery and its aim is to encourage healthy lifestyles, involvement in local communities and promotion of positive activities for children and young people.
Play Rangers involvement supports children’s safety as well as providing opportunities for them to be challenged, to take managed risks and have fun outdoors.
Since the summer of 2008 the Play Rangers have been working with children and young people in Bournemouth to encourage children to make more use of parks and open spaces, to help them to learn new skills and to help children to feel that they have someone to listen to and turn to for advice.
Councillor Malcolm Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, said: “The addition of the Play Ranger activities in Boscombe does an enormous amount to address the needs of children and young people in the community. The scheme enhances the Council’s work to deliver play services for children in Bournemouth and is central to our play strategy for the borough.
“The project has over 2000 children regularly attending the play sessions throughout the year. These children are learning social skills, being physically active and creative and being consulted and listened to.”
Anyone who would like to find out more about the Play Rangers service should contact Dan Vincent on 07920 827 469 orDan.vincent@barnardos.org.uk.
