Grants in action: Creating a playground accessible for all at Merefield School

Following a nomination for an ACT Community Grant from colleague Cliff Gillies in Payment Shield, we were delighted to support Merefield in Southport in Northern England with £5,000 of funding.

At Merefield, children with complex needs and learning difficulties aged from 3 to 19 are provided with opportunities not only to receive the right care and a brilliant education, but to have the opportunity to surprise themselves by discovering new talents and abilities and to feel a sense of belonging.

The school were keen to develop much-needed outdoor space adapted to suit the wide-ranging needs of pupils. An ACT grant of £5,000 helped the creation of a new specialist playground to benefit both children and their families and led to the Paymentshield team going even further – making the school their chosen charity, fundraising and volunteering.

Having supported the school over a number of years, the team at Paymentshield share more about this project and the difference it made.

Merefield is a magical school that ensures children can enjoy each and every day and get the most from life. When we applied for the grant, the school didn’t have a playground. It couldn’t afford it. Play is important to any child. It’s how you learn. Make friends. It’s how you relax. Think about your own school days... the playground was so important. It’s how you explored the world! Now imagine getting to go out into your own specially adapted play area... being on a specially adapted swing. A swing! You whizz through the air, the wind on your face. You’re no longer still. For the first time in your life you’re weightless, you’re floating. So we applied to ACT and we got the £5,000 we needed to get that swing built.

Cliff Gillies, Payment Shield

The specially adapted swing set in action at Merefield School.

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