CHILDREN at Grosvenor Housing Association's Pennington Lodge temporary home in St Helens have got something to smile about during the long school summer holidays.

For the association has completed the work on a brand new adventure play area for the lodge, which acts as a temporary home for people who suddenly become homeless.

Residents at the lodge often include families with children, who need to be kept occupied and find a constructive outlet for their energies.

The £8,000 play area, totally funded by Grosvenor, was the brainchild of Pennington Lodge project officer, Christine Connor, who undertook the planning and implementation of the scheme as part of a Chartered Institute of Housing 'Supported Housing' course, which she completed this year. Christine said: "The lodge previously had no outside facilities for children to play and burn up some of their excess energy. However, we did have spare land available, which was suitable for something like this."

The play area was chosen with the help of children at the lodge, who voted the log-type adventure park their preferred choice.

In addition to the play area, Grosvenor has established a programme of activities for resident children, in partnership with St Helens Youth Services, to help the children adjust to their new environment and circumstances and provide interest and stimulus during their stay.

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