Southampton Children’s Play Association survives funding cuts thanks to local donation

The Barker-Mill Foundation (BMF) has donated a sum of £5,234 to The Southampton Children’s Play Association (SCPA), a charity that organises free summer playschemes and events in more deprived areas of Southampton and the surrounding areas.

The donation will ensure SCPA’s Millbrook Playscheme and annual summer playday in Hoglands Park will run again this year. The Millbrook Playscheme will run throughout the summer holidays providing free day care for families who need assistance.

Tim Jobling, Trustee at the Barker-Mill Foundation said: “The Southampton Children’s Play Association deserved to be praised. The work they do for our local community is commendable and really creates a sense of community.

“We are really pleased to have the opportunity to support them and offer a donation at a time when other funding has been reduced.”

SCPA was established in 1973 and relies solely on donations to organise and run their free play schemes and events. The annual grant received from Southampton City Council has been significantly cut so third party funding is essential.

Anna Roberts, Play Development Manager at SCPA said: “Our aim is to bring communities together and to help where we can. We show our support to local families with our Millbrook Playscheme and annual playday in Hoglands Park. We have been running these events for years, but due to recent cuts in our annual grant we rely more and more on donations to keep these projects going.

“If it wasn’t for BMF’s donation these projects couldn’t run, and over 4,000 children and families who attend these events would miss out! BMF has supported and funded us for years and we’re extremely grateful for all their help”

SPCA’s summer play day invites families from the local area to take part in games, listen to live music, eat delicious food and meet new people. The donation from BMF will help to fund this free event as well as the Millbrook Playscheme.

The event, ‘Playday in Hoglands Park’, will take place on Friday 22nd July this year and is open to all. The event allows many children to enjoy a care-free playday, and bring families together.