Councillors in Tenby have handed a financial boost to a ‘play provision’ project for the area that provides specialist Youth Clubs for young people who have additional learning needs or disabilities.

Correspondence from Pembrokeshire County Council’s children and schools directorate, Kelly John, came before Tenby Town Council members at their meeting on Tuesday night who is the early help inclusion co-ordinator for the initiative.

“Our Tenby provision is one of our newest and is located at Tenby Primary School,” she explained.

“We only have four regular attendees at present (we can cater for 20 children) however we are currently promoting our work to gain more attendance.

“Our dedicated ‘Play Workers’ work alongside our fantastic team of volunteers providing the children and young people with a chance to do their own thing, while offering our parents and carers the valuable opportunity to do just the same.

“We understand the wide variety of challenges being faced by our parent cohort and the few hours of rest and relaxation on a weekend can make a big difference to a family’s life.

“We promote ‘Free Play‘ which allows children and young people to follow their own interests, there are a variety of play opportunities for all the children and young people to take part in and they are supported by our volunteers.

“We work on a ratio of one adult to three children, ensuring we can support and cater for every child and young person’s needs. The children and young people are given the space and opportunity to socialise, interact and play with children in similar circumstances and are able to learn and develop through the medium of play.

“Our future visions for Play_lnc are for siblings of children with additional learning needs to also attend the clubs. Many of the siblings are young carers for their sibling with these needs, therefore we would like to support them to also have the opportunity for play and for the parents to have complete respite for two hours on a weekend, which we feel is extremely valuable for the families of Pembrokeshire that we support.

“The rent for this provision is high and at present we are currently at a loss with the staffing costs and rent combined, in order for us to become sustainable we need some financial support initially to get Play_Inc Tenby off the ground so to speak,” she added.

In supporting the project, Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that she would like to propose a donation of £500 to the group.

“This is a very good scheme, brilliant in fact, and I personally think what they’re trying to do is wonderful.

“I would like to propose £500 to set them on their way, as it seems quite expensive for what they are trying to achieve.

“Who knows what our children and grandchildren might need in the future, and an initiative like this will benefit those that need it in the community,” she added.

Councillors unanimously agreed to support the Deputy Mayor’s proposal.