COMMUNITY GROUPS URGED TO INVESTIGATE GRANT FUNDING FOR PLAY SCHEMES

Community groups across Argyll and Bute are being encouraged to investigate a new multi-million pound grants programme aimed at helping Scotland’s play sector to grow.



Go Play is a new programme being run by Inspiring Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Government, and hopes to offer increased opportunities for play to children in Scotland aged between five and 13.



Argyll and Bute’s Spokesperson for the Third Sector, Councillor John Semple, said: “As a Council, we encourage groups looking to develop play areas to take ownership of the facility for themselves. In this way new facilities are better cared for as they belong to the community and not to the Council.



“This new fund offers a great opportunity for enhancing the play experience in Argyll and Bute through the development of play areas as community assets. I would encourage community groups to look at the Inspiring Scotland Web Site to see how they might be able to take advantage of this excellent fund.”



Any group which is a charity registered in Scotland (or which is prepared to become one) which delivers free play activities is eligible to apply for funding.



Among the groups expected to make applications are after school clubs and adventure play associations. But any organisation which has an innovative and creative approach to providing play activities is encouraged to apply.



Go Play is a two year programme, fully funded by the Scottish Government.



Completed application forms need to be in by 5pm on Friday, November 6.



Anyone interested in finding out more about the scheme should go to Go Play’s website at http://www.inspiringscotland.org.uk/Home/Go-Play.