Grants Enables Upgrade to Charity’s Playground

Isle of Play’s Lester’s Yard Adventure Playground is set to receive a significant upgrade thanks to a grant of £25,000 from Manx Lottery Trust.

This funding will enable the construction of a new building, expanding the resources available to children and families in the Hills Ward area of Douglas.

Lester’s Yard, which has been a vital community hub since its establishment in 2019, is a dynamic, open space made from recycled materials where children can explore, create, and play freely.

The site has been providing meals, support, and therapeutic activities for children from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds.

Upgrade to Playground

With the support of the Manx Lottery Trust grant, Isle of Play will be able to replace its existing cabin, which has fallen into disrepair and no longer meets the growing needs of the community.

The new building will feature a large social room that will accommodate more children and provide a comfortable space, especially during the colder months.

It will also include a community kitchen to support cooking lessons and offer improved meal options for the children.

Wellbeing of Children

Additionally, the building will have a designated therapeutic suite that will enable the development of play therapy and other services to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of children.

Gender-specific toilets, a disabled access toilet, and a larger storage room for tools and resources will also be incorporated.

A dedicated office will be created for administrative tasks and secure document storage, ensuring the smooth operation of the charity.

The building will also have a separate entrance, allowing therapeutic and play sessions to run simultaneously without disruption.