£1,000,000 funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) part of the 'Fair Play’ initiative, that aims to change the way play spaces are commissioned, designed and built.
2009 to 2010 is the third and final year of the Playbuilder Capital Grant Scheme, part of Oxfordshire’s Play Pathfinder Programme funded by a grant from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DSCF). The scheme aims, through a combination of funding, public involvement, education and support to change the way play spaces are commissioned, designed and built.
The Playbuilder Capital Grant is available to develop new or refurbish existing play spaces aimed primarily at the 8-13 age range. This play space could be a playground, sand pit, rope swing, sculpture park or any area where children play.
How much funding?
We have already paid out £800,000 through the scheme and by the end of March 2010 will have funded 17 innovative new play areas in Oxfordshire. We have £500,000 left to contribute toward the cost of approximately 11 schemes to develop new or refurbish existing play spaces during financial year 2010-11.
Who can apply?
The grant is open to any suitably constituted organisation, with the ability to manage funds, which either owns or has a suitable lease on land that is, or could be developed as, a play space. Full details of qualifying criteria are given in the guidance notes.
What is a constituted organisation?
Parish and district councils are, by their nature, suitably constituted. Social clubs, residents associations, community associations, faith groups and other voluntary groups that wish to apply for a grant need to demonstrate that they have a suitable constitution that details: whom their organisation benefits how it is accountable and how funds and assets are to be disposed of should the organisation be wound up.
If you are in any doubt about the suitability of your constitution advice is available from Howie Watkins. Alternatively, you may wish to approach your local parish or district council to see if they would act as your development partner.
How much can be applied for?
Grants of up to £60,000 will be awarded. This excludes VAT and the cost should include VAT unless your organisation is able to recover this from HM Revenue and Customs Office. If you are unsure if you can re-claim VAT seek advice from your local HM Revenue and Customs Office.
How many schemes we actually fund and how much we award will depend on what we are asked for. If we were to split £500,000 evenly between 11 schemes, each applicant would actually receive a little under £45,500. We have set the maximum at £60,000 because we expect to receive a range of applications of varying sizes.
There is no requirement for you to provide match-funding from other sources.
You will not weaken your application if you add to the project budget by using your own funds, by soliciting donations from your community or by applying for other grants alongside your Playbuilder grant.
What projects can be funded?
We hope to encourage the development of play spaces that are challenging and will appeal to eight to thirteen year olds. However, the Playbuilder ethos is to create sites that are inclusive and we are looking to see how schemes will also be accessible to other age groups (both older and younger).
Organisations applying for funding need to demonstrate that their schemes match the ten design criteria of the Design for Play guidance.
Further help is provided in the guidance notes. We have appointed a full-time member of staff to oversee this project and support applicants.
How to apply
If you wish to apply you must register your interest with the Playbuilder Grant Coordinator. We will not accept applications from groups who have not pre-registered.
There are two parts to the application: an application form (.doc format, 398Kb) and a portfolio of evidence. For more information on what we expect your application can be found in the guidance notes (.pdf format, 1Mb). Your application does not need to include a finished design as the grant may be used to pay a designer.
The portfolio can be submitted as a video, a digital presentation, a scrapbook, on the back of a roll of wallpaper; in whatever form works best for you. It could contain:
design ideas
quotations
sketches
maps
Also include your consultancy exercise including sketches and ideas from children and young people, parents and other volunteers in your community.
Timetable
Applicants must register an interest with the Playbuilder Grants Coordinator by noon on 8 February 2010 for their application to be accepted. The deadline for applications is noon on 8 March 2010. The awards panel will meet before the end of March and it is expected that successful applicants will receive their contracts to begin the design and build process before the end of May.
All play spaces must be open to play with all funds spent by 31 March 2011
Further help
We have a dedicated team of staff to help groups with their schemes and grant applications. Howie Watkins is our Play Pathfinder Manager. With a background in project management and community involvement Howie understands the challenges of working with community groups, local government and the voluntary sector. He is here to support, advise and train. Contact Howie on 01865 256668 or email playbuilder@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
Managing Risk in Play Provision: Implementation Guide (.pdf format 2.7Mb)
This guide shows how play providers can replace current risk assessment practice with an approach to risk management that takes into account the benefits to children and young people of challenging play experiences, as well as the risks. Alternatively a printed copy may be ordered free of charge by calling 0845 600 9506 and requesting code DCSF-00631-2008.
This page contains PDF documents that require Adobe Reader. Large files may be slow to download.
The API
Lead trade body within the play sector representing the interests of manufacturers, designers and distributors of both indoor and outdoor play equipment and play area surfacing.
The Football Foundation
One of the largest sports charities in the world and certainly the largest in the UK. They are an important funder of multi-use games areas.
The Forestry Commission
Deliver practical programmes to make sure that, as communities and individuals, we can get the most from our forests. Search for Play Space on their excellent website for a variety of resources.
The Free Play Network
Aims to promote greater public understanding of the need for better play opportunities for children, by promoting discussion, exchange of information, and guidance on best practice in development of children's play opportunities.
KIDS
Work for disabled children, young people and their families. KIDS vision is a world in which all disabled children and young people realise their aspirations and their right to an inclusive community which supports them and their families.
The Oxfordshire Community Foundation
Has been awarded £761,000 over three years to make grants from between £250 to £5,000 in a straightforward and easy way, to voluntary and community groups with annual incomes below £20,000.
Play England provides advice and support to promote good practice, and works to ensure that the importance of play is recognised by policy makers, planners and the public.
Play Wales the national organisation for children's play in Wales.
PLAYLINK
multi-faceted independent play and informal leisure consultancy working in the areas of design, planning, policy, strategy, local engagement, fundraising and organisational development.
WREN
Provide grants under the terms and conditions of the Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme).
Oxfordshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.
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