Pat MacantSionnaigh, Inclusion & Finance Playleader at Evergreen Play Association tells us about Evergreen Adventure Playground and the vital role it plays for disabled and non-disabled children in Hackney. 

What does your charity do?
Our mission is to enhance the social, mental, physical and economic well-being of both children and parents in the community. Situated in one of the most deprived areas of the country with high rates of obesity and gang activity, Evergreen Adventure Playground provides a safe, positive and stimulating environment for children. The playground is free for all children aged 5-15 years regardless of ethnicity, ability and social economic status. Many different activities are offered at the playground each day, and all activities are child-centred and freely chosen by the child.

What are the challenges your service users face, and how does your organisation help users overcome them?
Evergreen Adventure Playground is a safe space for children to socialise and be themselves, where they are not ostracised or feel threatened, and where they can come free of charge. They can come and build relationships. For disabled children, we are one of only a few places that are free of charge, and where parents/careers and children can have some respite and some time away from one another – it is just as important for children to have time away as it is for parents/carers.

Our space is a place of acceptance – children may show unusual behaviour and may not be welcomed at other places, but here they can be themselves. With maintenance support we receive from volunteers through ELBA, the space is in a good condition and working order all year round for the children. We are open five days a week all year round, for children to meet other children from all over Hackney and form friendships with disabled and non-disabled children.

Since 2002, the playground has incorporated a successful inclusion project that has been noted as a model of good inclusive practice in Hackney and beyond. Children with disabilities are integrated into the mainstream play sites with support, and all activities are inclusive and adapted to suit a child’s needs if necessary. Depending on their needs, specialist support workers are available to work 1:1 or 1:4 with children. Evergreen is the only adventure playground in Hackney offering this support to children with a disability in a mainstream playground.

Do you have an inspirational story/moment about your work that you would like to share?
There are many, so many over the years including children who are non-verbal when join us, that then gain language, chat and initiate conversation. In specialist schools, they may spend the day with mixing with other non-verbal children but here they mix with everyone.

Another inspirational story is a little one who has been coming here for the past two years, who couldn’t walk up a slope at first. Now he is jumping off tables and goes all over the places including the slides and forest area with a huge slope and comes down by himself. We showed a photo to his mum who was delighted.

What kind of support are you in need of right now and how might volunteering fit into that?
As a small charity, we struggle for funds all the time like everyone else and adventure playgrounds are not recognised as the vital resource they are – supporting children’s and parents’/carers’ well-being, offering freedom and opportunities for social interaction, the learning of skills, etc. Over 900 individual children per year come to the playground – which has increased a lot since Covid – and by children accessing a service like ours, it can stop anti-social behaviour. So, investing in this now – children come from the age of 5 – you are starting children off on the right foot. Although our service is available children up to the age of 15, we never turn people away beyond that age as they are safe here.

We need volunteer support all year round with our maintenance and this is a huge resource we get via ELBA. The budget to buy equipment keeps the playground in good working order, as does the people power. People love the playground as it so well maintained due to our staff and volunteer.