A TAVISTOCK youth scheme has been given a huge boost – thanks to a £200,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.
The Playing Up scheme, run by the older members of Tavistock Youth Café, will deliver play days to younger children in isolated communities in the southern area of West Devon.
The scheme is one of four across West Devon set to benefit from the Lottery cash.
West Devon councillor Mandy Govier, who together with Cllr Christine Marsh is a Youth Champion for the council, said: 'We are delighted to have won this substantial award from the Big Lottery Fund.
'It recognises the importance that play has on children and young people's health, well-being and social development.'
Cllr Marsh added: 'The really exciting thing about these projects is that no child will have to travel miles to take part. All the activities are being delivered on the children's doorsteps.'
Tavistock-based Pippa St John-Cooper, from Devon Youth Service said: 'West Devon is a beautiful area. However many young people never have the opportunity to experience the wealth of outdoor play opportunities available, through a variety of barriers. This funding offers the opportunity to change that.'
The other schemes which will benefit young people in West Devon are:
l The Princetown Opportunity for Play project from the Higher Moorland Community Action (HMCA) Team, which will feature play days and holiday activities, including subsidised days out for children in the Princetown area.
l OCRA Action, an outreach play scheme organised by the Okehampton Community Recreation Association, who will be taking games and equipment out to around ten different villages in the northern area of West Devon.
l The Rural Youth Outreach Project run by Devon Youth Service which offers challenging opportunities, including canoeing and abseiling.
All the projects are among key actions in the borough council's play strategy, aimed at improving opportunities for play for children and young people of all age groups.
Gill Till, children and young people's officer for West Devon and South Hams Councils, said: 'We have been able to secure this money due to the huge support from Jane Hembrow at Play England. Joint partnership working between West Devon and South Hams has enabled us to use different skills and experiences to realise this award.'
Russell Pember from HMCA said: 'The funding will enable us to deliver vital play opportunities giving bored youngsters something interesting and challenging to do in the holidays.'
ABOVE: Celebrations all round at news of the funding.
Picture by James Bird