A new adventure playground for children and young people with additional needs is due to be officially opened at Middlesbrough charity MAIN on Thursday 22 October.
Mayor Chris Cooke is scheduled to join the charity and volunteers for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4.30pm at the Finlay Cooper Centre, Elizabeth Terrace, North Ormesby.
Volunteers from property services company CBRE have been working with community project organisation Splash Projects on a two-day transformation of the outdoor space.
New space for outdoor play
The design was developed with the charity and young people. Features include a castle, drawbridge, wobble walkway and climbing wall, providing more opportunities for outdoor play and sensory exploration.
MAIN supports autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and adults, including people with learning disabilities or complex needs and those awaiting diagnosis.
According to the supplied release, the charity supports around 250 children and adults each week. Funding pressures had left it relying on temporary play equipment that struggled to withstand frequent use.
Volunteers bring the plans to life
MAIN chair Debbie Sullivan said: “We've wanted to create something like this for years, but with funding so tight, it simply wasn't possible.”
She said the contribution from CBRE and its volunteers would make a difference to children and families using the centre.
The volunteers came from CBRE’s Global Workplace Solutions division, with Splash Projects designing and supporting the build.
Official opening on Thursday
The 22 October ceremony is a planned media and charity celebration, rather than an announcement of unrestricted public entry to the playground.
Families looking for information about MAIN’s clubs, day services or other support can contact the charity on 01642 608012 or visit its website. Access to services and activities should be arranged directly with MAIN.