A ‘beautiful’ new outdoor play area has given ‘hope’ to a new generation of young children as volunteers worked through wind and rain until the job was finished.
The new outdoor space and play area unveiled on Friday was created at Lighthouse Family Centre CIC in Worcester to cheers of joy from young families.
Teams from Platform Housing Group spent a week there as part of ‘communities connected’ which brings together partners for ‘hands on neighbourhood activities that make a real difference’.
In this case it involved preparing the play area as people gave up their time free of charge to make it possible, transforming a muddy area into outdoor provision for the children.
The work builds on an earlier work by Platform. In September 2025, the Lighthouse Family Centre became a community interest company, opening at a cost of £35,000 including a £14,000 grant from Platform. The centre has a full day care nursery but also offers parenting support and workshops and supports SEND children.
Clare Dalton, one of the directors, said during the opening of the ‘Community Cohesion Project’ their aim was to be a beacon of hope to the community and told the crowds ‘the best classroom is one without a roof’ and that this one was ‘the best outdoor provision’.
“Our slogan is ‘a beacon of hope for the community’. You really have given us hope we can make a difference to these young children,” she said.
We visit ‘worst’ road where ‘the only thing that works is the street lights’
Young children saved from fire ‘wandered streets homeless’ after hotel mix-up
We meet ancient family who took over National Trust-owned Tudor house
Mrs Dalton, a director alongside Lucy Fry, said: “This has been a project built entirely on hope and collaboration, and we would like to give special recognition to Platform Housing and their incredible teams, whose support has been vital in bringing this vision to life.
“Our area is recognised as one of high deprivation, and we know how much difference accessible, supportive community spaces make to the lives of local people. This new project will have a massive, positive impact on our family centre and the families we support – helping to bring people together, create opportunities, and build stronger connections across our neighbourhood.
“We are also incredibly grateful to the many amazing local partners and individuals who have joined us along the way; their involvement is already helping us create meaningful, lasting change for children and families here.”
Among those to attend were Andy Faulkner, operations manager at Platform Housing, and said teams were painting in the rain to get the job finished
