Playground partnership project continues at Wokingham Keephatch Primary School
Wokingham Borough Council and the John Lewis Partnership are continuing to work together to create exciting play areas at schools in the borough. And tomorrow (Thursday July 19) they will be regenerating a garden at Keephatch Primary School in Wokingham.
Back in November 2006, the John Lewis Partnership provided a team of volunteers from their ‘Time Bank’ team to create a fenced garden area at Shinfield St Mary’s Primary School. The ‘Time Bank’ is a company scheme that allows employees to get involved with voluntary projects during work time, with the support of the company. Having read about this project in their staff newsletter, a team from Waitrose, who are part of the John Lewis Partnership, contacted the Wokingham council’s play strategy advisor to see if there were any projects they could get involved with.
And as a result, some 10 employees from Waitrose head office will be spending the day working hard to regenerate the school’s garden as part of the council’s better places to play project. Waitrose is donating over 40 plants and these will be planted to create a habitat attracting wildlife including butterflies and bees. This will greatly enhance the school’s outdoor learning. Waitrose will also be donating garden materials such as composters.
Employees from Waitrose head office will tidy up the school’s pagoda creating an area for the children to play and socialise. Waitrose in Wokingham are also donating a children’s bench made out of recycled plastic bags allowing pupils to enjoy storytime sessions in the garden.
Brian Matthews, the Wokingham council’s play strategy advisor, said: “The garden and surrounding play area will be enhanced considerably thanks to Waitrose and what better way for children to learn more about wildlife than with their very own garden and flowerbed.
“The council is delighted to be working in partnership with John Lewis on the better places to play project. It has allowed some of our schools to make improvements to their play areas and I am very grateful, as our schools are, to their commitment. Children play on average seven and a half hours a week in the playground so it is great to see projects like these getting off the ground and making a real difference.”
Back in November 2006, the John Lewis Partnership provided a team of volunteers from their ‘Time Bank’ team to create a fenced garden area at Shinfield St Mary’s Primary School. The ‘Time Bank’ is a company scheme that allows employees to get involved with voluntary projects during work time, with the support of the company. Having read about this project in their staff newsletter, a team from Waitrose, who are part of the John Lewis Partnership, contacted the Wokingham council’s play strategy advisor to see if there were any projects they could get involved with.
And as a result, some 10 employees from Waitrose head office will be spending the day working hard to regenerate the school’s garden as part of the council’s better places to play project. Waitrose is donating over 40 plants and these will be planted to create a habitat attracting wildlife including butterflies and bees. This will greatly enhance the school’s outdoor learning. Waitrose will also be donating garden materials such as composters.
Employees from Waitrose head office will tidy up the school’s pagoda creating an area for the children to play and socialise. Waitrose in Wokingham are also donating a children’s bench made out of recycled plastic bags allowing pupils to enjoy storytime sessions in the garden.
Brian Matthews, the Wokingham council’s play strategy advisor, said: “The garden and surrounding play area will be enhanced considerably thanks to Waitrose and what better way for children to learn more about wildlife than with their very own garden and flowerbed.
“The council is delighted to be working in partnership with John Lewis on the better places to play project. It has allowed some of our schools to make improvements to their play areas and I am very grateful, as our schools are, to their commitment. Children play on average seven and a half hours a week in the playground so it is great to see projects like these getting off the ground and making a real difference.”
Wokingham Borough Council
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