The Playtrail’s new ‘Tea in the Park’ initiative has been announced as a
joint winner of this year’s £2k Social Enterprise Competition run by Derry City
& Strabane District Council as part of Enterprise Week 2019.
£2,000 from the Council’s ‘Social Enterprise Innovation Seed Fund’ was
up for grabs as budding social entrepreneurs from throughout the City &
District pitched their creative ideas for innovative projects they want to see
get off the ground.
Following the Social Enterprise Competition, £1k has now been awarded to
‘Tea in the Park’ and the ‘Strabane Community Project’ to help both groups set
up a shop / kitchen and training facilities.
The Playtrail’s £1k prize will go towards retrofitting a traditional
‘Horsebox’ with tea & coffee-making facilities which will provide customer
service training for a group of 15-20 young people with disabilities who will
serve refreshments to visitors at the Pennyburn site.
Jennie Marshall from the Liberty Consortium, which delivers programmes
for young people with disabilities at The Playtrail, said:
“We’re delighted to have been awarded £1k from the ‘Social Enterprise
Innovation Seed Fund’ which will make such a huge impact in terms of us being
able to take this exciting project forward.
“Much of the work on the retrofitted ‘Horsebox’ will be carried out by
young people with disabilities themselves in partnership with our Fab: Social
Project. This will involve using laser cutters, vinyl cutters and 3D printers!
“This initiative will also provide up to 15-20 young people with the necessary
training in customer service, Barista training and cash handling whilst
providing a weekly work placement / volunteering opportunity.
“The project will also address a gap in terms of us not currently having
a shop available on The Playtrail site. Indeed, the new ‘Horsebox’ will ensure
families will be able to avail of refreshments and enjoy a full day of outdoor
play and activities.
“The ‘Tea in the Park’ initiative also aims to address the limited
education and training programmes that are currently available for young people
with disabilities. Indeed, it will be great to see the project providing
them with the opportunities to build their life skills – not only in terms of
developing confidence and increasing their independence, but also helping them
become more active members of society!”
Danielle McNally, Business Officer with Derry City & Strabane
District Council and a member of the four-strong panel who judged the £2k
Social Enterprise competition, said: “I was delighted to judge this year’s
pitching competition and hear from the many groups and social entrepreneurs
from across the Council area who are interested in developing their new project
idea.
“Importantly, the ‘Social Enterprise Innovation Seed Fund’ is about
rewarding and encouraging creativity, talent and innovative ideas within social
enterprise.
“As part of this year’s prize package both ‘The Playtrail’ and ‘Strabane
Community Project’ will not only secure £1k in financial support, but can also
avail of business support services from the Council which will help them grow.
“Indeed, it’s great to see funding for the new ‘Tea in the Park’
initiative will not only help young people with disabilities gain meaningful
work experience – but will also increase The Playtrail’s offering by providing
refreshments to thousands of families who visit their wonderful facilities
every year!”
