Free mobile play sessions at Hopwood Park a huge success

Mobile play session at Hopwood Park

The first of six free afternoon play sessions at St John’s Scout Hut in Hopwood Park on Thursday 5 January were a resounding success with around 20 children turning up for the activities.

The sessions, aimed primarily at children aged between four and 14 are delivered by the Rochdale Mobile Play Team with The Friends of Hopwood Park, who received funding from Heywood Activities Partnership. Younger children are welcome if accompanied by an adult.

The Friends’ Sandra Trickett said: “Axing this service will have a real detrimental effect on the children of the borough who benefit from this service. There’s definitely a need.

“We had around 20 kids turn up for the first week- which for the first week on such a cold night after school was more than we expected. Rochdale Mobile Play Team provided a great variety of activities for the children and we’ve had loads of positive feedback.

“It’s been many years since there has been anything provided like this in the Hopwood area so we’re really glad it was successful. We’re grateful to St John’s Scouts for the loan or their hut and facilities and to Heywood Activities Partnership for sponsoring the sessions.

“It’s been a fantastic way of a few organisations linking together to provide much needed play provision for children out of school time.”

Refreshments are provided free for the children by volunteers from The Friends and from next week (12 January), free fruit will be provided by Sainsbury’s Heaton Park.

The mobile play team is one of the services at risk of having its funding cut by Rochdale Borough Council in order to save around £39 million over the next two years. The proposal is estimated to save £44,000.

The deadline for feedback on these proposals is 5pm on Monday 9 January.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/107312/last-chance-to-have-your-say-on-councils-savings-plans