West Dereham Playground Project

The Playground Working Group, made up of local families, are working with the Parish Council to facilitate the installation of some children's play equipment on the recreational field in the village of West Dereham in West Norfolk, as requested by the community.

We want to create a fantastic outdoor space for children to meet and play. This is long overdue in the village and we know so many people will benefit from it, not just now but for years to come.  But - we need help to raise money locally first, before applying for larger grants. Every pound given will help us reach our target! We would love it if you could support this project with a donation - however big or small.

The aims of the project are:

1. To improve the community, space and environment.

2. To promote inclusion and bring people together by creating a focal point to meet.

3. To improve the physical and mental wellbeing of children and adults alike.

Background

Of the 450 residents living in the village, nearly 100 of them are under the age of 18, yet, with the exception of a single football goal, there is no outdoor recreational play equipment accessible to them. As a result, children are spending longer indoors and on screens. This can lead to a poorer health, both physically and mentally, resulting in feelings of isolation from other children their age. In addition, the parents of the village have reporting feeling disconnected from one another due to no focal point at which to meet and are experiencing feelings of isolation. We want to rectify this and believe that with some communal play equipment, accessible to all, families would be given the opportunity to meet with one another and form connections.

Community Involvement

Community involvement has been at the forefront of this project since its inception in November 2020 when members of the community formed a Playground Working Party. To begin with, they created an online survey which was advertised on the local notice boards and Facebook community groups. Eighty-eight people, of all ages, participated in this with an overwhelming 97.7% in favour of the Playground Project. The results of this, which also included opinions on type of equipment, formed the basis of the plan and, once a broad design was obtained, a Community Open Afternoon was held, in April 2022, for people to come and see the plans and provide feedback.

Additional Funding for the Project 

Crowdfunding is just one of the ways in which the the Council and the Playground Working Group are hoping to raise funds for this worthy cause. We hope the majority of the cost will be met by grants and we are also organising local fund raising events from March - June 2023. Please follow our Facebook page for details of these.

It is our hope that we will be able to make this dream a reality by Summer 2024.

We are so grateful for you taking the time to read about our project. Please support us if you are able! Thank you!