New providers are being approached to run Max Roach Adventure Playground in Wiltshire Road, Brixton and Dexter Road Adventure Playground in Railton Road. A third site, the Loughborough Adventure Playground in Loughborough Park, which shut following the closure of the Kids Company charity will also benefit.
The council has set up the Young Lambeth Co-op (YLC), which in part replaces the council’s youth service department, and involves young people in commissioning and monitoring providers. In most cases this has successfully seen a smooth transfer to the new arrangements.
In the case of Max Roach Adventure Playground and Dexter Road Adventure Playground it has taken a bit longer. But the council is confident that the YLC has the skills and expertise to find new groups to run the playgrounds.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Jane Pickard, Cabinet Member for Families and Young People, said: “We are looking at all options so a new provider can be identified as soon as possible.
“The council is fully committed to its young people, and the need to provide community facilities in Brixton. We are seeking long term partners to run these three sites on our behalf.
“A series of issues have affected them that have been outside council control, including Kids Company’s closure. But we have managed to open an adventure playground for the children’s half term holidays and are working hard on a long term solution.
“A number of organisations have already expressed an interest, so I am confident we will be able to re-open these sites by working with YLC.”
Young Lambeth Co-op
Young Lambeth Co-op is a youth organisation that allows Lambeth locals to become members in order to participate in the selection of the youth and play services available for young people in Lambeth.
For more information please visit the Young Lambeth Co-op website.
