Parks for Play is a charity set up by parents and play professionals and led by a Board of parents and community members. It has been delivering inclusive play opportunities in South Birmingham for more than 15 years.
The group recently took on the ownership of Coronation Road Play Centre in Selly Oak. It used its new HQ as the base for inclusive Holiday Activities and Food during Summer 2021; and was able to share the centre with other groups, including S.E.N.D Socials Birmingham – who delivered further sessions there during the Summer.
Widening Food Choices: let the children eat fruit!
Parks for Play ran 3 sessions a week for 3 weeks during the Summer holidays – on Monday, Wednesday and Friday – at Coronation Road. Courtney, who helped deliver the sessions told Fit for All:
“We had lots of young people who got to taste new foods for the first time. Many of our young people were able to experience healthier snacks. Many of them often choose junk food options – crisps and biscuits. It was great to be able to provide fruits and vegetables to those who don’t always have access to them at home.
“It can be a particular milestone for some of our young people to try something new. There are all sorts of reasons why a lot of SEND children struggle with branching out trying new tastes and textures of food. They often take packed lunches wherever they go because they need the re-assurance of eating familiar things they know they are safe with. During Fit for All, there was a different food option each session. Parents told the staff that after one or two sessions, their children didn’t want to bring packed lunches any more. The effect has lasted even after the Summer ended.”
“There were many instances when younger children would eat the food and mention that they did not know what that item was. They hadn’t tried it before. They were able to taste, experience new foods – allowing them to try new tastes. To see them enjoy new things – and learn about them – was really rewarding.
“It can be a particular milestone for some of our young people to try something new. There are all sorts of reasons why a lot of SEND children struggle with branching out trying new tastes and textures of food. They often take packed lunches wherever they go because they need the re-assurance of eating familiar things they know they are safe with. During Fit for All, there was a different food option each session. Parents told the staff that after one or two sessions, their children didn’t want to bring packed lunches any more. The effect has lasted even after the Summer ended.”
Fit for All, at Parks for Play, helped widen the food choices of vulnerable children and young people. Courtney added thanks to Bring it on Brum and the Holiday Activity and Food programme:
“A lot of parents are facing difficult choices with money: they said they really appreciated that we were able to provide their young people with food thanks to the Holiday Activities and Food funding.”
