Welsh Government funding to enhance play opportunities highlighted
Tynnu sylw at gyllid Llywodraeth Cymru i wella cyfleoedd chwarae
Pembrokeshire’s share of Welsh Government Capital Grant funding for children has been put to good use across the county.
It has supported the enhancement of play opportunities and delivery of several actions identified in the area’s Play Sufficiency Action Plan, delivering significant benefits for children, young people and communities.
The funding has enabled substantial investment in play spaces and outdoor environments throughout the county, helping to create safer, more accessible and more engaging places for children to play.
A key outcome of the grant of nearly £195,000 has been the improvement of existing play areas through the replacement, repair and installation of equipment, surfacing and infrastructure.
Working closely with the Council's Parks Maintenance Team and local providers, funding has been targeted towards sites where safety concerns, maintenance issues and accessibility barriers had been identified.
As a result, a number of play spaces have been significantly enhanced, improving both the quality of provision and the overall play experience for children and young people.
The grant has also had a transformative impact on outdoor learning environments within educational settings. Funding has enabled schools to develop more stimulating and play-rich outdoor spaces, providing children with increased opportunities for active, creative and exploratory play.
These improvements support children's physical, social and emotional wellbeing while encouraging learning through play and greater engagement with the outdoor environment.
In addition to improving the physical environment, the Capital Grant has directly supported the Local Authority's commitment to meeting its duties under the Play Sufficiency Assessment.
The investment has contributed towards actions focused on improving the quality, accessibility and inclusivity of play provision, addressing safety concerns and ensuring that children have access to a diverse range of high-quality play opportunities within their local communities.
Feedback received from schools, settings, community groups and families has been overwhelmingly positive.
Many recipients reported increased use of facilities, improved engagement from children and enhanced opportunities for inclusive play.
The improvements have helped to remove barriers to participation and ensure that more children can benefit from safe, welcoming and stimulating play environments.
Joint Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, said: “Overall, the Capital Grant has had a positive and lasting impact across Pembrokeshire. By investing in play spaces, outdoor learning environments and community facilities, the programme has strengthened local play provision, supported the delivery of key Play Sufficiency actions and helped ensure that children and young people have access to high-quality opportunities for play, learning and development both now and into the future.”
