Playground transformed at Young Parents scheme through Greater Places to Live Fund
24 August 2023
A new playground and communal area for young children and parents to enjoy has been opened at one of our supported accommodation sites in Oxford.
Cllr Mark Lygo alongside colleagues and residents at the Bullingdon Road scheme
An official opening event took place on Friday 18 August and was attended by Oxford City Council’s Sheriff Cllr Mark Lygo, who is also Oxford County Councillor for Marston & Northway, members of Oxfordshire County Council’s quality improvement team and A2Dominion partners.
Colleagues held a consultation with residents about ways to improve the space. Through our Greater Places to Live Fund, the area was transformed into somewhere everyone can be proud of, equipped with weather-resistant swings, sand boxes, flower beds and picnic benches to allow residents to socialise.
Jo Evans, Director of Specialist Housing, said: “We’re delighted with the new space and so are our residents. The transformation provides a safe environment for children to enjoy the outdoors and for adults to unwind.”
Esher, 21, has lived at the scheme since June 2022, said: “Having a new built playground here at Bullingdon Road will allow time for me to bond with my child in a safe environment. This will promote more safe play and allow the families here to grow and support each other. I am more than grateful for the investment.”
Cllr Mark Lygo said: “It was an absolute honour to be invited to the opening of the playground knowing that the young families will benefit from playing outside in a controlled environment. A special thank you to all of the staff involved in the project.”
The Young Parents scheme in Oxford has been run by A2Dominion since 2021 and has 10 units of accommodation, supporting young parents aged 16-24 and their children for up to two years.
The Great Places to Live Fund provides funding to inspire, innovate and implement new works and projects that help improve customer satisfaction in the homes and places we manage.
The fund enables colleagues, partners and residents to work more closely together to co-design projects and proposals that meet our vision to create homes and neighbourhoods that are safe, high quality and sustainable.
