Sidley gets new free play session service

Children aged 8 to 11 can take part in the two-hour sessions which are being held at the Sidley Children and Young People's Centre every Monday from 4-6 p.m.

Anyone wishing to take part is invited to attend on the day and register.

The sessions are part of a district-wide supervised play programme which will also include a weekly session in Rye from next year and a range of holiday and weekend play events in the district's towns and rural areas.

Over two years, at least 950 hours of free play will be available to Rother children and young people aged 8 to 16.

Action in Rural Sussex is providing the programme with the support of other organisations including Sidley Young People's Services and the Rother Children's Centres and Rother District Council.

Play sessions will provide opportunity for a variety of physical and creative activities.

The programme is being funded through a Big Lottery Fund grant awarded to Rother earlier in the year. The award has already funded the refurbishment of a children's play area in Northiam and a new skate-boarding facility in Peasmarsh. Additional funding has also been injected into the project by the Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust recognising the important role of play in contributing to health and well-being.

The programme is part of a range of measures identified in the council's play strategy to improve play opportunities for children and young people.

The strategy was developed in conjunction with the Rother Play Partnership, a multi-agency group that recognises and promotes the many values of play to children, young people and the communities in which they live.

Rother is working with community groups and statutory bodies to develop and implement a number of other play projects including improvements to facilities in Pebsham, Westfield and Robertsbridge.