Play on Portland scheme handed over to parents

The scheme, which has ben run for the past two years by Dorset Community Action (DCA) is now in the hands of a group of parents headed by Debbie Smith, chairman of Portland Families Active Voice (PFAV).

Under its new management, at present the scheme will operate during school holidays and while it has been aimed at youngsters in the five to 13 age group, Mrs Smith said that they hoped to extend it at both ends of the scale.

Youngsters present made full use of all the equipment which has been handed over by the DCA who will also be passing over the remainder of the Children’s Fund cash which they were awarded for the two-year project.

Marquees, face painting, crafts, music, sports activities, seating and lots of fun equipment are available for the youngsters to enjoy while supervised by the adult volunteers who have all completed an NVQ1 training course which will be followed by further training and an emergency first aid course.

Karen Griffiths, Dorset County Council extended services co-ordinator for Portland schools, has been working with the group of parent volunteers, helping them to take over the running of Play on Portland which will now be known as Island Play and will be moved around to other parks on the island. The symbolic handover was made to Debbie Smith by Brian Evans Johnson from DCA who set up and ran Play on Portland.

He said: “I am very happy that the scheme is to be carried on by such a capable group of volunteers and I will be maintaining my interest and doing my best to attend any big events.”

Mrs Smith said: “We are really pleased by this initial response to Island Play.

“Fortunately, even the weather has been in our favour. “ The next opportunity for children to join in Island Play is likely to be the May mid-term break and meanwhile the committee will be concentrating on applying for funding and seeking more volunteers.

To contact Debbie for more information, phone 07817 305197.