2,000 children benefit from our free fun summer PlayBoxes

Children from across South Somerset yet again enjoyed free summer school activities courtesy of South Somerset District Council.

This year, due to Covid-19, the usual PlayDay events that are held throughout the summer holidays had to be cancelled, but that didn’t stop PlayBox activity boxes being handed out for families to enjoy.

SSDC’s Locality Team worked hard to provide play boxes to children that ranged from arts and craft, baking, environmental activities and outdoor play.

The activity boxes were distributed at four collection points across the district, the first being at Kingsbury Episcopi Recreation Ground near Langport, followed by Cale Park in Wincanton, Jocelyn Park in Chard and Yeovil Recreation Centre. In total, 2,000 boxes were produced, 1,850 were collected at our collection points and the remaining boxes from these events have been distributed to food banks to help families who might be struggling and need their services.

South Somerset District Council, Yarlington Housing Association and Yeovil Town Council have hosted PlayDays, YouthDays and the School’s Out programme in South Somerset for many years, providing joy to thousands of our residents.

It was with great sadness that these events had to be cancelled this year to ensure the safety of our residents and staff from Covid-19. However, all was not lost, as we provided our safe play alternative, the PlayBox.

Councillor Mike Best, the council’s portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “It was brilliant to see the smiles on people’s faces as they collected a PlayBox. Many families look forward to the PlayDay events each year and we are proud to be able to adapt to the times and still provide play activities to our communities.”

There was a great deal of positive feedback from the PlayBox collection days from happy parents and customers, including:

• “We wanted to say a huge thank you for all the hard work you have all put into creating the ideas, boxes and distributing them with such positivity and care…. We were overwhelmed by the kindness and care from all the staff... Thank you for bringing fun to our summer despite this bizarre times.”
• “My favourite make was the Robot because I LOVE robots! It’s like having a children’s crafty festival at home!”
• “Thanks so much! We had a lovely rainy day afternoon baking with our boxes! They were excellent!”
• “My son & daughter came home with theirs today and they are really chuffed with them...they are fabulous - thank you!”

PlayBox is just one of the ways which we have continued to provide our services for residents of South Somerset during these unprecedented times. We are proud to be able to continue to support families during the summer holidays with free play.