Cash Grants to Improve Residential Areas

Friends of the Beehive

Grant of £9,298 to install children's play equipment

Didsbury Play Centre, know locally as The Beehive, started offering services to the community in February 1974. It provides playgroup provision and an adult and toddler session. The adult and toddler session provides a place for parents and carers to meet each other informally. The playgroup provides a structured learning environment for children from two and a half to five years of age.

The Friends of the Beehive group was founded in May 2005 by centre users. The group knew that the centre was very valued but it lacked suitable outdoor play equipment. Having somewhere outdoor to play helps the physical development of children. Some of the benefits are:

• Children will improve their co-ordination, control and ability to run, climb, balance, slide and tumble
• It will enable children to gain confidence in what they do and feel the positive benefits of being healthy and active

With the help of Cash grant funding Friends of The Beehive purchased and installed outdoor fixed play equipment and resurfaced the play area. It has since proved to be a very popular addition.

Sophie Rushton, who helps run Friends of the Beehive, said: "Applying for the Cash grant was straightforward and there was plenty of support and advice available when we needed it."