A small children’s charity based in Ipswich, Suffolk which runs free play sessions has received a funding boost from the East Anglian Mark Benevolent Association.
The Ipswich Community Playbus, which is named Maggie, is a mobile double decker bus converted into a pre-school, parents, toddler and baby group on wheels, offering quality early years education which brings children and families together. The Playbus travels to six areas each week during term time, visiting areas which have the greatest concentration of social housing, where many families are from low social and economic backgrounds and without similar facilities nearby.
The EAMBA has given a grant of £1,000 which will be used to purchase themed chairs for the children. Provincial Grand Master David Boswell presented the cheque at one of the regular sessions in Ipswich, which delighted the staff and children. David said, “This is another example of East Anglian Mark Masons making a big difference to a small charity. The new play equipment will be a valued addition to the facilities on offer and give the children and toddlers an even more enjoyable play experience.”
The play sessions are free and follow the Foundation Stage of the National Curriculum with termly themes. The Playbus facilities include two baby areas, sand pit, craft and paint areas, in-built slide, home corner, a book corner with lending library, puzzles, jigsaws, a themed area and imaginative play. There are toilet facilities and a generator which provides heating and lighting.
For more information about the Ipswich Community Playbus, visit http://www.ipswichplaybus.org.uk/