Wormholt Park to Have Disability Friendly Playground
Council backs Hayley's campaign for swing and adds roundabout and trampoline
Wormholt Park is to have Hammersmith and Fulham's first disability friendly playground, thanks to a campaign run by Shepherd's Bush mum Hayley Wedgbury.
As we reported in December, Hayley, who lives off Uxbridge Road, decided to raise money for a wheelchair accessible swing in the park as part of a campaign to make local parks more accessible for disabled children.
Hayley, who has lived in the borough for 12 years since moving down from Birmingham, was frustrated by the lack of facilities that could be used by her eight-year-old daughter Mia, who has cerebral palsy.
She needed to raise £14,000 to get the swing installed and Hammersmith & Fulham Council agreed to match donations by residents.
Now she has hit her target by raising £7,000, with the council matching the funds to meet the £14,000 cost of the swing. But the success of her campaign doesn't stop there - the council is also installing a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and trampoline, as well as equipment for children with sensory impairments in the White City park.
The refurbished playground is to be part of the regeneration of Wormholt Park, which is expected to be completed in the Spring.
A delighted Hayley has thanked everyone who supported her campaign. " My daughter was the inspiration, it was really frustrating walking through the park and watching the other children with her not being able to join in," she says.
" But I was doing it for all children in the area who are wheelchair users. When I started expressing my concerns I found a lot of parents felt the same.
" Now we’re going to feel more of a part of the community, parks are a place where all children should be able to go.
" This is going to be the first fully-inclusive playground locally and my hope is that it will raise awareness. I hope that others are going to think more about disability when they refurbish other playgrounds and parks."
Hayley raised £2,750 from local supporters via her crowdfunding page and the remainder of the money came from a raffle held by the Park Medical Centre, a cake sale at Sunshine Nursery in Barnes, and cash donations by The Friends of Wormholt Park, The Play Association H&F and Hammersmith United Charities.
Hayley was put in touch with H&F Council by Parents Active a local charity which helps families with disabled children.
" Disabled children should be able to enjoy playgrounds and feel as part of the community as every other child," says Cllr Sue Fennimore, H&F Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion.
"I’m delighted we could help fulfil Hayley’s and Mia’s wish and create an inclusive playground for them and every other family in need of one in the area."
A separate fund-raising campaign run by local residents successfully raised funds for a wheelchair-friendly roundabout to be installed in Ravenscourt Park. It was officially opened in December after members of Parentsactive Group, part of HF Mencap and Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School joined forces to raise £5,000, which was matched by Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
The roundabout had been at the Haven Centre in Askam Road and when it closed for development the play equipment on site was no longer required.
The roundabout was relocated to Ravenscourt Park in summer 2014. Then last year it was given a full refurbishment, including signage and a new accessible path, thanks to fundraising efforts, led by Parentsactive member Mary Melsom, which included carol singing and a summer fair.
January 25, 2016
