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Bardney man with learning difficulties inspires funding boost for local play park regeneration

Bardney man with learning difficulties inspires funding boost for local play park regeneration

A young man has inspired care provider Home From Home Care to kickstart a new donation drive to raise funds for a local play park.

The specialist residential service provider has gifted £500 towards the vital refurbishment of a community park in the Lincolnshire village of Bardney after residents were dismayed to find the communal development inaccessible to the public.

Andrew, who is supported to live independently in the community, drew attention to the confusing closure by writing to the local council and contacting Home from Home Care who own The Laurels where he lives. Originally thought to be due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team soon discovered that the closure was in fact due to the area being run-down and unfit for purpose.

Colleen Barratt, assistant locality manager at HFHC Healthcare and The Laurels, said:

“One of the best things about working at Home From Home Care is the effort we make to ensure each of the individuals we support can be a part of the wider community and live their lives to the fullest. Andrew and his peers at The Laurels love visiting their local park and when they realised that it was closed off, Andrew decided to write a letter to the local council.

“He asked questions like 'when's the park re-opening?’ and ‘why’s it closed?’. He got a reply back explaining that they are trying to raise a lot of money in terms of rebuilding the park and buying new equipment and that they are looking for donations. We supported Andrew to provide a donation for the park refurbishment.”

Ben Green, vice chair of the Bardney Village Hall and Play Park Committee, said:

“The park is currently about 20 years old and, as you can see walking around, it’s getting a bit tired.”

Thanking Andrew and Home From Home Care personally for the company’s generous donation, he went on to explain that,

“this is the first sum of money that we have received for the cause and it will go towards our goal of revitalising the park with key improvements, such as a zip line and other fun additions for the area.

“This has given us a massive boost. We’ve now got a dedicated team in the village that are solely focused on the park and getting it replaced. The timescale depends on funding coming in and we’re looking at including everybody in the park. I think that the impact on the kids and the village is massive.” 

Mr Green encourages local residents and businesses alike to donate to the fund, which is anticipated to cost in the region of £53,000. The recently established fund has raised £2,000 towards its target so far, getting the appeal off to an impressive start.

While there will be a number of community drives to help achieve the funding, including village bake sales and a Christmas disco, it is hoped that approximately 80% of the cost will be secured by local and community grants.

Speaking of the donation, Andrew said:

“I’m very excited to be helping and I will visit every day!” He added: “The best part of the park is the swings.”

As well as inspiring the initial donation, Andrew has also designed a dedicated mascot for the park, which will be used for fundraising and incorporated into flyers, as well as the signage within the park grounds itself.

Colleen reiterated: 

“It’s really important to Andrew and the other individuals here at the Laurels and the Bardney site to have that community spirit and to feel that they are a part of a community that belongs.

“Andrew was really excited to hand the cheque over and to know that he’s played a part in getting the new play park up and running.”

Contributions to the regeneration fund can be made by contacting Mr Green directly by calling 07956 177261 or emailing benjamin_green25@yahoo.co.uk. Local residents and community groups are encouraged to join the communal Facebook group for the project at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1066210874116387.

To find out more about Home from Home Care, including current job vacancies, please visit www.homefromhomecare.com.

To learn more about the donation drive, visit https://www.facebook.com/homefromhomecare/videos/615727406504368. 

Picture: Andrew (left) and Ben Green (right)


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