Hackney Playbus, a mobile play-center for pre-school children, has received funding that will enable it to offer free play services to Chatham, one of the borough’s most deprived wards, over the next year.
The playbus, on its 40th anniversary, made its first stop in Bannister Estate in Chatham this October and plans to return early in the New Year.
Claire Kelly, who has worked for the playbus for six years, said that the scheme has been recommended for £25,000 funding from the council. She said: “They’re giving us more money than they did this year, I don’t know whether it’s in recognition of the cuts or not, but it’s some recognition that we’re doing a good job.”
Hackney playbus offers free play sessions for pre-school age kids. The scheme focuses on early intervention, helping children in the key stages of their social development.
Ms Kelly, in her role as the bid researcher, said: “Even though there is all this research into the importance of early years development, [the government] don’t put the money where their mouth is.”
The playbus is celebrating its 40th birthday with an extravaganza at Morningside Community Centre on Sunday 9 December, from 1–4pm.
