Gedling MP Michael Payne and Mayor of Gedling Cllr Kyle Robinson-Payne have shown their appreciation for the commitment of volunteers at Gedling Play Forum.
They joined the Gedling Play Forum to celebrate the commitment of volunteers providing play for children in Gedling, on Friday, October 3 2025.
The Mayor presented volunteers with badges, certificates, and plaques to mark their service to the Forum.
Gedling Play Forum runs play and craft events across the borough. From their base on Wollaton Avenue they also run a Resource Centre where schools, playgroups, and families can find arts and crafts materials. Much of this is donated by local businesses to avoid it being sent to landfill.
It was also a double celebration as Rachael Ellis, chair of the Trustees, announced that the National Lottery Community Fund had awarded the Play Forum a grant worth over £220,000 towards its Sustainable Green Future Project.
“We are delighted with this amazing award” said Rachael Ellis. “It will enable us to install solar panels to meet our objective of reducing the environmental impact of our work.”
“We are grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for their generosity, and of course to those who play the National Lottery and make this possible”
The grant will also fund a playworker to train workers and volunteers, enhancing their skills and employment prospects, and providing more play events for children.
“We know how important play is for children’s development, creatively, physically, and socially” added Rachael Ellis.
“But there are fewer opportunities for play these days, and the long term effects of the Covid lockdowns are still being felt. So we want to work with partner groups to increase the opportunities for children and their parents.”
Michael Payne MP paid tribute to the work of the volunteers “It was a privilege and pleasure to be here to thank the volunteers at the Play Forum who give their time to helping families. Volunteers don’t just give their time, they give their hearts to make Gedling the special place it is.”
Between them the 30 active volunteers have given 236 years of service to the Forum.
