Council grants to help schools and community groups

A county council is encouraging groups to apply for funds after a grant helped build sandpits and a sensory room at a school.

Worcestershire County Council's public health programme offers funding of up to £3,000 to voluntary groups, community organisations and community interest companies.

Oasis Academy Warndon is among the schools to have taken advantage of the scheme, turning planters into sandpits and building the new room to help children with their emotions.

Anna Wichmann Lima, operations manager at the school, said it had a declining number of pupils, which had led to increased financial pressures on the school's budget.

She said 50 children at the school have education, health and care plans (EHCPs) and 40 percent are on the special education needs and disabilities (SEND) register.

"Since Covid, we've really noticed an increase in the social, emotional and mental health needs of children – and the grants we've applied for have really helped with those."

She told a health and wellbeing board meeting on Tuesday the grants allowed the school to turn six planters into sandpits for the children.

"I went out there today and on a summer's day like this, it's like they're at the beach," said Mrs Wichmann Lima.

"They've all got their socks and shoes off, they're in the sand, they're burying teachers – the sensory element is amazing for them."

The school has also been able to build a sensory room, which has helped children to regulate their emotions.

"We've bought things like sensory tiles so they can go for a sensory walk and calm themselves so they can go back to the classroom and access that education," said Mrs Wichmann Lima.

"These are things we wouldn't have been able to do, or do as well, without this funding.

"School budgets are tight so this has enabled us to do something extra," she said.

Lisa McNally, director of public health for Worcestershire, said the grant scheme is about "making residents' ideas a reality" and urged groups to get in touch.

"If you have an idea, if you know a group that you think could use a public health grant, try us – I bet we say yes."

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