IT’S ALL about play for children in the Keighley Big Local area thanks to a £20,000 outdoors project.

Youngsters in Stockbridge, Thwaites, Hainworth Wood, Parkwood and Ingrow have enjoyed a host of new activities in woods and playgrounds.

They have discovered the delights available on their doorstep that offer opportunities for old-fashioned play. Play workers from Forest School experts Get Out More have worked with more than 350 children over the past six months.

So far the sessions have included nature-based woodland play, and weekend, evening and after-school sessions in streets, school grounds and community centres.

The Get Out More professionals have also provided informal training for adults and young people interested in volunteering on outdoor projects.

The play project was the brainchild of Keighley Big Local, a regeneration body run by volunteer residents in the ‘Keighley Valley’ corridor running from Stockbridge to Ingrow.

Keighley-based social enterprise Get Out More won the £20,000 commission to to run the programme from April this year to March next.

Big Local coordinator Shaun O’Hare said the All For Play project was agreed following extensive consultation amongst local families should a strong need for safe play in the outdoors.

He said: “We have accessed forgotten open green space within the Big Local area, and children have been enjoying their ‘doorstep’ environment.”

The Keighley Big Local Partnership will now evaluate the play activities and look at extending the agreement in future years.

Get Out More are running Big Local forest school activities in Hainworth Wood today and tomorrow (October 26 and 27).

‘Play trips with chips’ will offer free outings with food in November and December for children from Stockbridge children, Clover Rise, Parkwood Street, Red Holt and Hainworth.

Young people will learn woodland crafts, cooking and games at Hainworth Wood Community Centre on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7.30pm. Early Years sessions are being held at Low Fold Children’s Centre, Exley Head, on Fridays from 10am to noon.

Email admin@keighleybiglocal.org.uk for further information about the All For Play activities.