A CHILDREN’S centre has been granted funding to create a hub of activities.

The idea originated because Tyldesley and Mosley Common children’s centres have been unable to use an off-site facility, Astley Tots Plot space for activities, due to financial restraints.

The children’s centre assisted with the development of a group called the Play Village and, thanks to seed funding awarded by Wigan Council, they are hoping to expand the activities available in the area.

The Play Village centre plans to use the £5,000 grant to hire a consultant, whose role will be to establish the sort of activities residents would like to see and take part in.

Children’s centre manager Lyndsey Daly said: “We have this excellent facility venue that is currently under-used.

“We can’t run the centre like we used to because of a lack of money, so we decided to support the community-based project with a view to expanding all the activities across the area.

“We want schools, parents and voluntary groups to get involved to provide activities for children, aged from five to 11.”

By hiring the consultant, the team hopes to ask children what activities they would like to see at the Play Village.

“The consultant will kickstart the project and allow us to start asking people what they would like to see in the Tyldesley, Astley and Mosley Common area,” said Lyndsey.

“They will, hopefully, find out what the children want to see instead of us deciding for them and also build community links, so that the scheme can become self-sufficient.

“Experience of working with primary aged children in a community is essential.

“We also plan to apply for further funding to support the project from the council’s community investment fund to help us grow the project.”

The centre is looking for someone who has experience of working with people and knowledge of the community.

Call Lyndsey on 01942 883279, or send an application to Lyndsey.Daly@wigan.gov.uk by Friday, May 2.