Project Support
September 16, 2013
Parents, children and staff at Ince Children’s Centre in Ince, Wigan, are celebrating the opening of a new play area, thanks to help from local housebuilder, David Wilson Homes North West.
Having been fundraising since early 2012, Ince Children’s Centre, on Charles Street, applied to the housebuilder’s North West Community Fund scheme, which offers support to community organisations, for advice on how to make the project a reality.
David Wilson Homes North West worked with its contractors, GSU Landscapes and Westbourne Civil Engineering, to help deliver a play area which met all the wishes of the children, parents and staff at the centre. The housebuilder negotiated discounts with its suppliers and contractors and also provided top up funding of £2,000 from its North West Community Fund community bursary to enable the project to be completed.
The new play area has been designed to offer a simple, sensory experience where the families who use Ince Children’s Centre can play and have fun together. The centre provides activities and support for the whole community, offering everything from fun classes for kids to careers and health advice for parents.
Penny Docherty, Link Worker at Ince Children’s Centre, said: “We had raised funding for the play area, but had no idea how to go about getting the project off the ground when we found out about the North West Community Fund scheme. We contacted David Wilson Homes North West, who came out to visit the centre and helped us make our dream play area a reality.
“We had previously been running our activities from just one room and had no outdoor space, so this new play area will make a difference to the health and wellbeing of the families that use the centre.”
Morag Platt, parent at Ince Children’s Centre added: “The parents at Ince Children’s Centre couldn’t be more grateful to David Wilson Homes North West, GSU Landscapes and Westbourne Civil Engineering for everything they have done. We are delighted with the finished play area and it has inspired us to look for other ways we can enhance the centre.”
Steve Jackson, North West Community Fund Project Coordinator at David Wilson Homes North West, concluded: “It is so rewarding to see the finished play area and we’d like to express our sincere thanks to our contractors for the fantastic support they have given to this project and continue to show for North West Community Fund.
“As soon as Ince Children’s Centre got in touch and told us about its plans, we knew that we could use our expertise and contacts to help and we would encourage any community organisation that thinks we may be able to lend a hand to its project, to get in touch.”
The North West Community Fund scheme helps community groups in the North West with either volunteer time or funding. The only condition is that support is used for something that will genuinely improve a service, facilities or the environment within the local area. The latest round of applications is now open – simply download a form from this website to apply.
David Wilson Homes North West is currently developing in Highfield, Wigan. The Blundell’s Wood development comprises a collection of three and four bedroom homes with prices starting at just £162,995. For more information please telephone 0844 8113366 or visit www.dwh.co.uk.
