Funding 2015

Having concluded that a new playground is needed for your school or park, it then brings with it the sometimes daunting task of gathering funds together to be able to pay for your new area. Relax- there are many ways to be able to do this.

The first things to do is get a budget in place and this can come by looking at what you currently have available, and then contacting any bodies or charities that may be able to assist. It may surprise you the number organisations that are out there who can help. We have updated our Fundraising Pack which provides you with a list of these organisations based around the UK, with the relevant contact details, which we can email to you on request.

You may decide to try and fund the project yourselves or top-up any funding that you do receive by organising events that will bring in extra money. Think seasonal- are there any holidays coming up such as Halloween or is it summer? Tailor such events around it, for example a BBQ in summer or a fancy dress Halloween party in Autumn. Make it as fun as possible not only for the people attending but for yourself too as it makes the organising less stressful.

What are you hoping to achieve by your new play area? Look at what aspects you require such as climbing or fitness so you can narrow down your product search. Speak to the actual users- the children- as to what they want as you want to make your playground as popular as possible. Once a list has been made speak to a company such as Playsound to get you a plan designed. Playsound offer a free design service and don't stick to a rigid product list as we can provide a bespoke design service. If we haven't already made a certain product before we can do for you as we understand people have different requirements and needs that shouldn't be limited as to what's in a brochure.

Set deadlines as to when you want a project completion date as this helps focus you and can drive the plan forward. It can concentrate your efforts so the project doesn't just run and run with no end in sight. Work with everyone involved, from contractors to the funding bodies, so that although the targeting completion date is achievable it is short enough to motivate you.

Remember, you are not alone! Share responsibility and speak to as many people as possible to get ideas and help you out. Playsound are always available to assist in any way possible, and with many years of experience we have a great bank of knowledge to help you. We pride ourselves on our friendly and high quality customer service, and we are here for you every step of the way. Contact our sales team on 01695 717229 or email us for help and advice. Good luck!

Ship Shape

One of the biggest successes Playsound achieved in 2014 was the launch of our new Play Ship range. This armarda, ranging from a small, compact unit to a full size galleon ship, has since gained many admirers and can been seen popping up in playgrounds throughout the UK.

The story of this range begins at the start on 2014 when a local pub was under going some regeneration to become a landmark for the Skelmersdale community. Playsound were provided with the brief of creating a new play space that would attract families to the pub, and working together with the customer a set of designs of a huge 10m long pirate ship were produced.

Once everything had been finalised, it took just over 2 weeks to install the boat and immediately made a huge difference to its surroundings. The main road nearby provides excellent views for passing motorists who are sure to spot and admire the ship which was christened the HMS Toby. Its success is down to its use of colour as well as natural materials and its large range of activities means that children can spend their afternoons challenging themselves and testing their bravery. A huge 2.5m high rear platform has a 360° tube slide as well as a scramble net, with other activities including a crawl through tunnel and play panels.

Since that original ship Playsound have had numerous orders and enquiries and soon a range of 4 boats was developed to suit a range of sizes and budgets. As with any Playsound product, each ship is fully customisable to match each customers needs.

For more information please call 01695 717229 or to see the complete range please click here.

Things to do in January

It may be cold and wet, but there is still plenty to be done in your playground and growing areas. The key word for this month is preparation: prepare for the coming months by getting a head start. This helps you get ahead and reduces stress levels of having to get jobs done in a short amount of time!

Things to do this month:

• Order any seeds for plants you may want to grow
• Shred your old Christmas tree in to mulch that can be reused later in the year
• You could try growing potatos in containers that are covered
• Avoid standing or walking on grass to reduce wear and tear
• Clean any tools you may have used and oil shears or any moving parts
• Animals are searching for food during the cold climate, so ensure that bird feeders are kept topped up and water bowls are free of any ice. Playsound offer a number of products that include birdfeeders, such as this dedicated Bird Table

Events are taking place across the country including the RSPB's Big Schools Birdwatch. This can be a fun activity for pupils and can help teach children about common British birds.

So although the weather outside maybe dreadful there is lots of fun to be had!

New Year, New Playground

Christmas has been and gone and we are now into a brand new year. Hopefully you had a great holiday and are full to the brim with turkey and mince pies. With a new year brings opportunities to start a new project and to think about jobs that need doing in the coming months. Now is a perfect time to consider what needs doing in your playgrounds- do pieces of equipment need replacing? Does your whole area need revamping?

It may well be that these projects aren't an immediate concern and only need addressing in the summer, but in actual fact you need to at least start thinking about it now. Funding as well as any planning applications and the design process can take quite some time, so get ahead of the game and start preparing now. Take your time to carefully consider what you want so that the final result meets your every requirement. The summer months are also our busiest times, so contact us now to make sure we can guarantee your playground can be installed.

At Playsound we can help you with every step of the way, whether its to help you gain some inspiration or need any technical support. We are a family run business with everything manufactured by hand by our talented joiners and installed by our high trained installation teams. Our website only has a small selection of our products and services as we offer a bespoke design service, so call us on 01695 717229 for more information.