Adventure Playground an Example of Best Practice

9.51.20am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Aug 2006

Liz Lynne MEP says an independent charity in Newcastle-under-Lyme providing education and play opportunities for children with disabilities could prove to be an example for similar projects throughout the rest of the Europe Union.

Following a visit to the North Staffs Special Adventure Playground on Wednesday, 2nd August, Liz, MEP for the West Midlands region, said:

"This is a great example of a Staffordshire organisation leading the way in Europe and helping children with physical, learning and emotional disabilities get the best care and have a terrific amount of fun.

"As the Vice-President of the EU's All-Party Disability Intergroup I am very keen to find and highlight projects like this which are doing so much for children and their carers.

"I think this could provide an excellent example for similar projects in the Eastern Europe countries who will be joining the EU in 2007 but still have to improve the way they look after disabled people.

"Setting up cross-European networks will also, I hope, allow us to access more European money and help even more young people and children."

Editor's Note

The North Staffordshire Special Adventure Playground is a purpose built complex designed to service the needs of the local disabled community and is the only one of its kind between Liverpool and Gloucester. It is a registered charity, has 23 paid staff and provides 12,000 sessions a year.

The playground has a wide range of adventurous indoor and outdoor facilities including a three-storey soft play structure.