Magna helps towards SureStart extension
Plans for an extension to be added to the Sure Start Centre in Maiden Newton, by Maiden Newton Childcare Provision, are a step closer thanks to a £2,500 donation from SWHAILO Member Magna Housing Association.
Maiden Newton currently has three child-care groups in the village, which the Maiden Newton Childcare Provision Committee are responsible for. The three groups are currently run from different buildings.
Sophie Sennett, committee member, said: “The Youth and Community Centre is the current venue for the Maiden Newton Pre-school and Bouncing Beanz After-School groups. However, it was built in 1947 as a temporary structure and it is now in a very poor condition. The Sure Start Centre accommodates the Maiden Newton Toddler Group but it is not currently large enough to house all three groups.”
Following approved planning permission for an extension to the Sure Start Centre, to accommodate all three child-care groups, the Maiden Newton Childcare Provision Committee is working to secure sufficient funding for the building project.
Sophie applied for partial funding from Magna’s community initiative fund (CIF), which allocates £120,000 a year to things which will improve the areas where Magna residents live and £30,000 to charities and organisations which provide services of benefit to residents.
Ken Bodycombe, community investment officer at Magna, said: “Maiden Newton has a lot of young families that benefit from these services. Our CIF forum of residents agreed that it was a good project to support and granted £2,500 towards the extension.”
Sophie said “We’re very grateful for all of the funding we have received so far. We hope to build our extension in summer, and will be inviting everyone along for the official opening.”
If your community has an idea for a project or an area that could be improved, it may qualify for CIF funding. To find out more and get an application form, contact Ken Bodycombe, community investment officer at Magna, on 01305 216095 or email [email protected]
Seated L-R, Rachel Hewitt, Hannah Simpson, Elys Floiger, Jackie Young, Cherri Dyke, Georgie Easton. Kneeling L-R, Lucy Rourke, Nicola Brotherton, Kate Coombes, Sarah Ridout, Clare May, Debbie Tomlinson.
