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Innovations that enhance leisure planning, management and participation and also illustrate the value of leisure to society are especially welcomed. Values include, for example, improving management performance, contributing to regeneration, promoting environmental sustainability, improving public health, reducing social exclusion, promoting life-long learning and having fun.
A partnership between a voluntary organization, two adjoining local authorities and a national agency, developed and funded the design and construction of prototype sailing boats which could give easy access and accommodate disabled sailors who could operate the boats from their wheelchairs. A training centre with wheelchair ramps is sited at a lake owned by one of the local authorities, which is also used by other sailing clubs. Having been in operation now for four years, the Wheelchair Sailing Club has a voluntary team of experienced yachtsmen and women, its programme has expanded and grant support has been guaranteed for the next three years.
A Children’s Play Centre was designed as an exemplar inclusive play project by a national voluntary association, in collaboration with a range of organizations involved in children’s play experiences. Consultation was carried out over twelve months involving able and disabled children, parents, playleaders, teachers and manufacturers. The Project was sponsored by a national bank, the site was provided at a peppercorn rent by a children’s charity and six manufacturers each designed and installed two or three main pieces of play equipment which enabled physically, mentally and emotionally disabled children safe access and which could also be used by deaf and blind children through touch and sound. Appropriate qualified supervision was paid for by the host town local authority and by visiting organizations with a voluntary service team. The project is carefully monitored by the national association with guaranteed support grants over three years.
Three small museums in adjoining rural towns were being considered for closure five years ago. A project group of enthusiasts from the three towns pooled their knowledge and resources, consulted with local historians and interested people, and highlighted key ‘selling’ characteristics of the area. The combined areas were home to authors, musicians, artists, and the birthplace of three famous poets. There were also village arts and crafts shops, old churches and overgrown walkways linking the towns. Rural Tourism packages were developed with walks, cycle routes, and coach tours, stopping off at each museum for refreshment and to visit special exhibits displayed. A Poetry ‘Package’ proved to be attractive with poetry and music recitals using museums and churches. Collaboration with Tourist Information Centres, the local town councils, arts and history associations resulted in the Rural Packages Project. As a result the museums were improved with volunteer help, attendances were increased and closure was averted. Three year funding from the town councils, regional Museums and Arts agency grants and fund-raising events enable sustainability.
A municipal library and a private music academy, in collaboration with local school music departments and voluntary music groups, developed a Music Information and Learning Centre, based on computer technology and housed in the library. The Centre provides study desks with computers, internet access, online music resources, music software, listing of music events, music tutors and instrument purchase and repair. Music teachers and specialists are on hand at peak times and give their services voluntarily. The Centre also contains CDs, sheet music, magazines and books for sale or to borrow. Funding, in the main, comes from three sources: schools’ use is paid for by the local authority; public use is paid for from subscription; and money is raised through a unique collaborative fund-raising scheme. Numbers making use of the Centre have increased by 20 per cent each year in the first 3 years, with the greatest increase in senior citizens taking an interest in learning about music.
A sports and leisure centre, together with a technology company, designed a Leisure Facilities Self Service Scheme using a ‘smart card’, touch screen technology and special entry ‘gates’. The Scheme allows fast-track entry to all facilities and also provides for self-service bookings of tennis, squash and badminton courts and table tennis tables. Members can check on entry the charges deducted, their loyalty discounts, the amount still available for future use and information about their booking. The Leisure Centre management has instant information concerning numbers in the facility and where people are located. Daily statistical analysis and graphics are provided and these can be displayed in the reception. The system has proved especially valuable at busy times and in holidays to avoid over-crowding, to help in security and to optimise staffing levels. The success of the scheme in its first two years has led to its extension to other leisure facilities owned by the local authority. This provides an exchange of information and improved overall leisure service planning and management.
An inner city borough has severe social problems, poor housing and high levels of unemployment. An area of derelict open space has been converted into ‘Parklands’. It now contains an outdoor arena with seating in a natural amphitheatre, a terraced ‘Garden of Senses’, outdoor sculptures, an Arts Park Pavilion, Sports Park and a Children’s Adventure Park. A ‘Green Gym’ scheme encourages and enables people to undertake voluntary work within the park incorporating healthy exercise, linked to a Health Centre Referral Scheme for young people as well as adults. The main elements of the park were developed out of ideas put forward by local residents and wide consultation. The Project has created jobs and enhanced the programme of regeneration. Funding has come from government, the local authority, lottery monies and the private sector.
A large country house and its original gardens, built in the early 1800s, included ornamental and kitchen gardens, Victorian glasshouses and street ‘furniture’ including lighting features, ornamental gates, walkways, flower awnings and sculptures. With population growth, the house and gardens are now in the middle of the town; they were sold to the Town Council and became a park open to the general public. However, after some years of prosperity brought about through coalmining in the district, the park became rundown through the closure of the mines. A project headed by the Town Council’s Leisure Department and involving a range of organisations, schools and specialists, resulted in its renovation and re-opening. The restoration included enhancing the original Victorian features, restoring listed monuments, adding new seats in original style and sculptural features. The refurbishment planning included workshops with schools to involve children in designs and contributions. Decorative metalwork gates, railings and park furniture were manufactured by artists to re-create the original features with attractive new settings also. A Park Education Resource was developed and involves visiting school groups. The park has become a tourist attraction with visitors keen to visit a Victorian park. Funding was provided by the local authority, sponsors, heritage grants, arts grants and European Regional Development Funds.
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