A CHARITY that provides children and disabilities and additional needs a safe and fun place to play and learn has received nearly £175,000 in National Lottery funding.

SPACE in Chester has received the grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to support its recent growth which has seen capacity in its sessions increase from 80 percent to 95 percent over the last 18 months, supporting as many as 650 children and their parents.

The sessions, which take place at SPACE’s centre on Grange Road near Chester city centre, include a large two storey play frame, an interactive sensory room, a versatile activity room, a changing room fitted with a hoist, a parent’s resource and lending library, and a family café.

In recent months, the charity has responded to the cost-of-living crisis by offering wellbeing programmes and free counselling sessions to parents, a feature that can continue thanks to the new funding.

It will also help the charity to develop its after school activity club, which launched last year and currently takes care of 30 children as many of their parents are forced to work longer hours in order to make ends meet.

Founder and Charity Manager at SPACE, Jemma Gregory said: "Our aim is to relieve the isolation experienced by families that have children with disabilities. The Covid-19 pandemic was a tough time for the families that access SPACE, with feelings of loneliness and isolation something that many of them experienced. It’s the whole reason SPACE exists, to try and alleviate these feelings and provide families with a space that is accessible, supportive and inclusive.

Chester and District Standard: The charity provides accessible play for children but has also expanded in recent years to help families combat the cost-of-living crisis.The charity provides accessible play for children but has also expanded in recent years to help families combat the cost-of-living crisis. (Image: National Lottery)"Many of the families that we see were also plunged into debt during the pandemic, so it’s also important that they have a service that allows them to build their confidence and establish supportive friendship circles without having to worry about the cost."

Recent research from disability equality charity Scope shows that 49% of families with disabled children have faced accessibility problems at their local playground. Of the respondents, 12% said their child didn’t feel safe using the playground equipment, while 11% of families said their disabled children hurt themselves when using inaccessible equipment.

It's a problem that SPACE is hoping to remedy for more parents, while providing them with much-needed respite in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

One parent who has benefitted hugely from the play sessions is Nichola Sayer along with her son Phoenix.

Nichola said: "When I first visited SPACE, I received such a lovely warm welcome from the staff. I'm usually such an outgoing, confident person, but the situation I was in at the time made me feel so vulnerable and lost in where to go next with Phoenix.

"I’ll never forget being able to go to a place where people just understand, don’t judge, give you guidance and support, and overall make you feel completely safe. It's something I’ll forever be thankful for."

In total, 36 charities and community groups across Cheshire have been awarded over £2 million of National Lottery funding over the last three months*. The region isn’t alone in benefiting from National Lottery funding, as today it was announced that almost £133 million has been distributed to over 2,400 community organisations across England in the past three months*.

National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes across the UK. In the last 12 months we have given out nearly £600 million to 12,500 organisations reaching every local authority and constituency in the UK.

Gillian Halliwell, Head of Regional Funding for The National Lottery Community Fund in the North West, said: "Thanks to National Lottery players and the hard work and dedication of local projects, this funding will make a big difference to people’s lives across Cheshire. We’re delighted that our funding is being used to strengthen communities and provide people with the tools and support they need to prosper and thrive."

*Figures are for funding awarded from 26th November 2022 – 24th February 2023.