Groundwork Derby to open play area funded by the Big Lottery Fund

Representatives from Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire will be joining forces with Councillor Ranjit Banwait to open a brand new community play area funded by The Big Lottery Fund this weekend.

Set to take place on Saturday 10th December between 1pm-4pm at Bembridge Drive in Alvaston, the event will feature giant games, a Santa on a sleigh, and the ribbon cutting ceremony at 3pm, followed by a lantern parade.

Organised by Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire along with Derby Sutton Estates Tenant Association and the land owners at Affinity Sutton, the playground project was funded by the ‘Changing Space Community Places’ initiative from The Big Lottery Fund and has been in development for three years.

Kirsty Youngs, Managing Director at Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire, said: “Groundwork has been working with the estate for some time now. We carried out an estate wide consultation called ‘planning for real’ where huge design plans were drawn up of the estate to identify areas of development and we invited the local community to get involved with their own ideas.

“After this process was complete, we created a master plan with the findings and worked with the Affinity Sutton to secure funding for the project.”

After funding was allocated, the team at Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire then administered the construction and completed the project much to the delight of the local community.

Kirsty continued: “Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire can help local community groups and organisations apply for funding and we have an excellent track record for getting our proposals accepted.”

Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire have also completed other successful work on the estate. Back in March of this year, the regeneration charity opened an allotment, where gardening development classes for the local community are being held.

“We would like to invite people to attend the launch of our new play area on Saturday, it should be a fantastic event and something very positive for the local community in Alvaston.”, Kirsty added.