2021-03-31-accounts

Annual Report 2020-21

New Ark Play Association Registered charity number: 1026751

A safe, caring, adventurous environment for everyone developing skills for life

Parent and Toddler Group • Eco Garden Preschool Playgroup from age 2 years 9 months Holiday and After School Club • Play Support Service City Farm offering Birthday Parties, Group Visits, Volunteering Opportunities, Adult Social Mornings Animal Care Courses & Animal Care Student Placements

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Managers, Staff & Committee

Management Committee

Jo Curphey (Chair) Rob Brown (Treasurer) Lisa Sachse Claudia Butler Ruth Scotten Steve Milford

Playground

Sam Brown (Manager) Laura Bellamy Denise Jinks Abigail Curphey (Relief) Lauren Mitchell (Relief)

Playgroup

Denise Jinks Jen Faunt Nikki Miller Jayne Davey Chloe Charnley Emma Greenwood Lauren Shiels Nicole Davis

Play Support Service

Sam Brown (Manager) Laura Bellamy Jen Faunt

Administration

Sally-Anne Miller-Molson

Farm

Carolyn Bellamy (Manager) James Wallace

Cleaning

Laura Bellamy Sophie Portlock

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Welcome to New Ark Play!

We are an independent charity, registered with Ofsted, officially called New Ark Play Association . We provide stimulating play opportunities for children of all ages and our facilities include a traditional Adventure Playground, Eco Centre and City Farm.

We have a talented and dedicated team who take pride in delivering the highest standards of care to our children. Our Management Committee which oversees the running of New Ark is made up of a group of committed local volunteers , who each bring unique skills and experience to benefit New Ark. We also appreciate the dedication of the volunteers who support our fundraising activities, and help with a variety of essential tasks around the site - especially on our farm. We are extremely thankful for everyone who contributes their time and expertise to helping to make New Ark a special place.

We continue to strive to keep charges as low as possible to try to ensure that lack of money does not prevent anyone from enjoying our facilities, and we are continually seeking ways to add value to our local community .

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our ability to deliver our usual services and fund raising activities, and as a result we have lost a lot of income in the past year (In addition to the loss of the last of our Local Authority funding). We are so proud of the way that our team and our children have coped with the challenges , and hugely appreciative of everyone who has supported us; including our dedicated farm volunteers who gave so much of their time and money to care for our animals. A special note of thanks goes out to one of our parents, Jason Lovett , who embarked on a gruelling personal challenge in order to raise much needed funds for our sensory space, to Peterborough Lions Leisure CIC , who heard about Jason’s challenge and generously donated an amazing array of sensory equipment. I’d also like to express our sincere gratitude to the Directors at Princebuild who replaced New Ark’s dilapidated heating system free of charge, to ensure we could keep the children warm last winter.

You are all heroes!

I hope you enjoy reading our Annual report. Jo Curphey, Committee Chair

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

New Ark Opening Times

Toddler Group : Wednesday 13:00 - 15:00 (Term Time)

Our parent and toddler group are weekly sessions for children aged 0-4 years, giving them the time to explore our Eco Centre and City Farm with their family.

Preschool Playgroup : Monday to Friday 09:00 - 15:00 (Term Time)

Our children attending New Ark Playgroup learn through play using the Adventure Playground, City Farm and Eco Centre. Pre-school children use the Eco Centre as part of their full days in preparation for going to school. In the summer term we offer Eco sessions for children due to start pre-school in the September.

Play Support Service : 09:00 - 15:00 (Term Time)

In our Play Support Service we offer specialist support for individuals and small groups with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. With our support, children can be helped with the transition back into a school setting.

Adventure Playground : 15:45 - 18:00 (Term Time) 08:30 - 17:30 (School Holidays)

During term time our After School Club is all about adventure play with activities such as digging, building, ball games, swinging and climbing; and other activities based around a range of creative arts and crafts. The children also have the opportunity to visit the farm. During the school holidays the children also get the opportunity to do baking in our kitchen, outdoor cooking, den building, water slides, messy play and more. During summer holidays we run Eco sessions and Forest School for under 8s.

(As a guide New Ark follows Newark Hill Academy’s closure timetable)

City Farm : 10:00 - 12:00 15:45 - 17:30 (Open All Year)

During session time the children attending our Playgroup, Play Support Service, After School Club and Holiday Club get the opportunity to visit our City Farm and help to care for our animals. That includes grooming, feeding and cleaning out our small animal hutches. We also welcome group visits and visitors during term times and school holidays.

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Price List

Toddler Group	Adult & Child	Adult & Child	£3.00	Includes drink	Term tme only Wednesday 1-3pm
	Additonal Adult		£1.00
	Additonal Child		£1.00
Playgroup	Hourly Fee (If not funded)	Per child	£4.00	Term tme only Monday-Friday 9am-12pm 12:30-3pm (or all daysessions 9am-3pm)
Holiday Club	Per Day	Per child	£22.00	School holidays Monday-Friday 8.30am-5.30pm
	Per Hour	Per child	£4.00
Afer School Club	Daily Charge	Per Child	£5.00	Per Night	Term tme only Monday-Friday 3.45-6pm Includes toast & drink
	Walkover Fee	Per Child	£1.00	Afer School
Farm	School & Group Visits	Per Child	£5.00	Monday-Friday Adult supervision needed
	Adult social mornings	Per Adult	£5.00 (Carers are free)	Mondays & Wednesdays 10am-12pm Includes hot or cold drink
	Birthday Partes	Up to 10 Children	£100.00 £7 per additonal child	Saturday & Sunday Times vary Maximum 20 children £25 deposit to book Adult supervision required

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Preschool Report

From the end of March 2020 when we received news that the country was going into its first lockdown, we didn’t have any children attending even though the government allowed certain working parents and children to access childcare. By June and July, we saw a few children return during the mornings, and we

focused on Eco sessions basing the curriculum on the outdoors. It was not until September when we saw an increase in children returning to our setting.

From the start of COVID-19, it was priority that safety measures were put in place to minimise the risk of transmission to try and keep everyone safe. Every day we received new government guidance as changes evolved, and still we continue to receive regular updates.

Back in February 2020, Elisabeth and Donne Buck decided to leave New Ark. They were the founders of New Ark Play Association and were popular figures, spending a lot of time engaging in different projects with children of all ages, families and also working with volunteers. Elisabeth worked the majority of her time in preschool and we had planned during last summer to have a

joint celebration, wishing preschool ‘Happy Birthday’ and to invite Elisabeth and Donne back to say ‘thank you’ to them both for their commitment, hard work and their long term contribution to New Ark. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic this did not go ahead, and this included our annual Teddies Bear Picnic back in July 2020 which saddened some of our parents.

In October we said goodbye to Linda who worked in preschool for many years, and over the last few months we have also said goodbye to Sarah and Jayne. All have worked with many families and their children making a positive impact on many children and their development.

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

BUT …. Now that some of the restrictions have eased it has taught us a different way of working and there are some permanent changes that we will keep in place going forward that we feel work well for our children and staff. Over the months our children have all adapted well with the COVID19 measures, following hygiene routines that we have put in place, washing hands on arrival and when they leave.

We have kept children engaged in all areas of their learning by supporting them in many different activities throughout the year which has shown positive outcomes such as building confidence, self esteem and positive social skills.

Some of these activities included:

• Regularly visiting our unique farm, where children get to pet the smaller animals and feed all the animals on the farm.

• Pumpkin carving at Halloween.

• Learning about Remembrance Day and making their own poppies.

• Celebrating different events which included Diwali, when they made decorative tea light holders out of clay.

• Making chocolate nests at Easter, when children had their own Easter Egg Hunt, raising funds for preschool.

We had lots of fun playing outdoors come rain, shine or snow with our mud kitchen, scooters, trikes, mini trim trail or just running around using the large amount of space that we have.

And then there was our Eco garden……. Throughout the year some of the activities the children have enjoyed are pond dipping, chalk painting on the paths and making their own pencils.

I would like to say thank you to all our parents, carers and children who have followed our guidelines and worked closely with us to keep safe.

Thank you to all the staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the year especially with the added COVID-19 responsibilities. It is our staff who help to make our setting an amazing place.

Samantha Brown, New Ark Manager

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

What Ofsted say about New Ark

New Ark was inspected by Ofsted on 12 May 2021. The inspector was very impressed by the quality of the provision for our children and rated us as ‘Good’ in all areas.

The Inspector praised New Ark’s unique provision and applauded the fact that our team work hard to ensure our children's feelings, voices and choices are respected and they are encouraged to think critically and use their imagination as they enjoy playing and exploring our wide range of activities.

‘ Children are confident, articulate and friendly . They enjoy participating in a wide range of activities available to them at this unique provision. For example, they learn about animal care at the on-site farm, on play equipment in the extensive outdoor area. Parents also appreciate how much these activities benefit all aspects of their children's development.’

‘ Children demonstrate a positive attitude to learning , which will support them well when they move on to school. They are eager to interact with each other and adults. Consequently, they develop their communication and language skills well.’

‘ Staff have a clear knowledge about what each child can do and what they need to learn next. The curriculum is planned so that each child enjoys rich learning opportunities and makes good progress in their learning and development. This is testified by parents.’

Children show good physical skills as they navigate the obstacle course outside. They are able to balance on wooden blocks, climb, slide, and jump a given number of times on the small trampoline. Staff effectively support those children who require extra support. They work well with parents and other professionals to ensure that children fulfil their potential .’

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Play Support Service Report

This has been a year like no other, like many services the Play Support was forced to close its doors during the pandemic in March 2020. It did not re open until September 2020 when three schools chose to refer children to our service. As part of the safety measures, the students were kept in

their own school bubbles visiting on a reduced timetable with the curriculum being based outdoors. During January 2021 we entered a second lockdown which again impacted our service even further. We became fully operational in May 2021.

The Play Support Service is a unique provision for children experiencing social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. We offer short term placements to support children to help them manage their feelings in positive ways. This is achieved by using our City Farm, Eco Centre and Adventure Playground. We engage small groups of children in hands on activities with the aim of developing positive social skills. Our planned outcomes are to see happy children returning to full time education.

On the Farm we offer children the opportunity to help care for the animals. We carry out daily tasks which include feeding and cleaning out the small animals. The farm and the animals provide a therapeutic environment which enables the children to succeed in many positive achievements. Children thrive with the responsibilities that they are given and we see their confidence grow.

I would like to thank the staff for their long term support and commitment.

New referrals are now being taken. These can be made direct to us by schools or external agencies. For further information please contact Sam Brown on 01733

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Playground Report

Although both our afterschool and holiday club stopped from the end of March 2020, I am very happy to tell you all that we have just completed our summer holiday club. It was lovely to have the children back and see both new and returning children.

Our playground is a traditional adventure playground, and many structures are handmade. Children explore risk in a supervised environment.

Children choose their own play opportunities; they are given responsibilities when they visit the farm by engaging in many tasks and caring for a variety of animals. Some of the other activities children can participate in are clay work, painting, bracelet making, football, water play and various outdoor games.

Throughout the magazine you will read how the pandemic has affected our different services, it has been very hard but as we try to rebuild the different services and we look forward to resuming the walkover this month.

During summer 2020 we offered weekly afternoon sessions for up to four weeks for small groups of children to visit and participate in farm activities. This was very popular as the majority of children that accessed this provision had not been in school during lockdown.

With the restrictions that have been in place it has been very difficult to safely open all provisions at the same time. We are looking forward to the future greeting all children to the afterschool sessions this month, future holiday clubs and opening our doors to our fundraising events.

If you would like any information about our afterschool or holiday club, please contact us on 01733 340605.

Samantha Brown, New Ark Manager

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Children’s parties with a sense of adventure at New Ark!

You can;

• Decorate our function room using your own theme

• With full use of our kitchen you can bring party food and cake

• Play party games

Your guests can;

• Explore our traditional Adventure Playground

• Feed and groom the animals on our City Farm

• Take part in a treasure hunt in our Eco Centre

£100 for up to 10 children

Additional children £7 each (maximum 20 children) & parents free.

No hidden charges.

To discuss your requirements email [e-mail] or telephone New Ark to speak to Carolyn or Sam between 10am12pm weekdays on 01733 340605.

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Farm Report

Like all of our services, COVID-19 hit us hard on the farm. Many of our volunteers had to stop attending, due to health and safety

concerns, and we couldn’t accommodate Animal Care students or group visits due to Government restrictions; meaning that our regular daily helpers and sources of income stopped immediately.

A small team of amazing volunteers rallied around, working in separate bubbles on a rota basis so that we could prioritise the animals’ welfare and ensure they were all fed, watered, and cleaned daily. As well as giving us their valuable time, these awesome volunteers also donated money through animal sponsorship, to help us pay for food, bedding and vet’s bills.

The farm struggles with funding and relies heavily on donations. We greatly appreciate all the help we receive from our loyal volunteers and without them the farm would not be what it is today. For many years, the farm has been a key element of the community, giving opportunities to students and volunteers to take part in purposeful rewarding work, as well as providing opportunities for social interaction for vulnerable adults.

Thankfully, we are starting to offer students the opportunity to undertake placements for animal care courses again, referred through schools and colleges. We are also welcoming visits again from schools (including special schools), and other groups such as nurseries and preschools.

We are also able to offer placements for young people to undertake voluntary work related to enrichment activities such as the National Citizen Service, Prince’s Trust and Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Contact Carolyn on 01733 340605 to discuss your needs.

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

We were lucky to have three Muscovy ducks donated in December 2020. They are called Rudolf, Dasher and Dancer and they are very unusual and handsome!

We were also given two magnificent Norfolk Black turkeys, called Rosie and Jim, whose head and necks change colour depending on their mood!

On a sad note we very suddenly lost two key volunteers who are greatly missed at the farm. George Hallet and Mark Harding both gave many years of help and support to the farm over the last 20 years, and made a huge difference to the farm by regularly giving their time, contributing regular donations of money, and assisted with fundraising during our open day events. We appreciated their support and we will not forget them.

Carolyn Bellamy, Farm Manager

Volunteer Story — Hannah Murthwaite

I have been working at the farm for 7 years. I first came to the farm while I was at secondary school to learn about farm animals and how to look after them. While I was at college Nicola arranged a placement for me at the farm and I have been there ever since. It has been hard through lockdown I missed everybody and the animals. I have met so many people and made some friends. I love everything about working there.

Just a special mention about a special friend Mark Harding who recently passed away. He was a friend to everyone who knew him, he made you happy if you were upset and he was funny in his own way. He had a great sense of humour. He will be sorely missed by everybody. We miss Mark. Rest in peace.

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Volunteer Story — Gina Cook

I enjoy my visits to New Ark farm, which brings structure to my week and gives me something to look forward to.

Working as a volunteer means that I get to work with other volunteers and staff, and together we form a little community where we work together to get the tasks done, e.g. cleaning water tubes and topping up food bowls.

My time at the farm has been like a journey. When I first came to the farm I could only stay for about half an hour. Now, as time as gone by I can stay for longer and longer periods of time. As a result of staying longer, I have more time do other tasks.

Coming to the farm has given me confidence. As the weeks go by, so has my confidence, both with the animals and other volunteers and staff.

Being involved at New Ark farm I have learnt how to look after the animals. During my time at New Ark farm I have attended a number of animal

welfare courses. On one course in particular we learnt about good and bad foods for each animal.

The farm has various types of animals and they all have different personalities and have different food tastes, for example, most of them love a grape!

During the day we stop for a break. We sit in a hut and have a coffee and a slice of cake, and talk about the farm and the animals.

If you’re going on holiday, why not treat your pet to a holiday too?

For a small daily fee of £1.50 per night, New Ark can board your animals with us while you are away on holiday. We can care for guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens.

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Another recent addition to our New Ark family is a Mallard duck called Quackity, who was found in a drain at Orton Mere when he was a duckling and he was hand-reared by us and the children at New Ark.

In loving memory of Mark Harding New Ark Farm Volunteer & Supporter 2001-2021

Mark was a very special person who loved the farm, and everyone loved him. He was kind and thoughtful and had an infectious sense of humour. To spend time with Mark was to be happy, uplifted and to laugh—and he made us laugh a lot!! He saw the good in everyone, was generous of heart, and a much loved friend. Through all of our sadness, we still cannot think of him without smiling.

We will treasure our memories of him, but miss him so very, very much.

Bless you Mark, Rest in Peace xxxx

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Treasurer’s Report

Hello everyone, my name is Rob and I am the Treasurer for New Ark and it's that time of year again!

To say this year has been tough financially on us is an understatement. This was our first year without any council funding (which used to amount to £33,000 per year), so not only did we have to try and overcome this shortfall but we then ran into COVID-19, which has meant we have had minimal numbers of children in preschool across the year, we were unable to run our after-school club and holiday clubs, and didn’t have any school and group visits to the farm; making it extremely tight on our cash flow.

We have had to juggle all of our staff between working and going on furlough, but I have to thank everyone involved for all their hard work and all those that have helped to sort this out.

Unfortunately again due to COVID we had to cancel all of our planned fundraising events, including our Easter Egg Hunt, Summer Fete, a BBQ and Music Evening, Annual Open day and Christmas Fete. By not holding these we have lost about £8,000-£10,000.

We have however been hugely helped out on site with maintenance jobs by Community Payback, and we are very grateful to them for their continued support. We also have had huge help from Princebuild with donations of building materials and a new heating system, and generous donations and support from ad hoc fundraising activities from parents and volunteers.

Also on a positive note, we have received our accounts back from our accountant and we did make a small PROFIT! This is a real bonus and everyone involved deserves a huge pat on the back. We now need to build on this and see where we can go, It won't be easy but let's see what 2021/22 brings!

We have identified that we need help with sourcing funding pots and help with completion of application forms. If you know of any pots of money or can volunteer any spare time to help with completing the paperwork, or have any fundraising ideas please get in touch.

Rob Brown, Treasurer

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Thank You !

Andrew Moore

Anne & John Green Carol, Tina & Tracey Hallett Carolyn Bellamy Chloe Charnley Chris Welch Claire Duffy Claudia Butler Community Payback Denise Jinks Des Hopwood Emily Browett Emma Greenwood Erin Lovett Food Cycle Gina Cook Hannah Murthwaite Hazel & John Greenwood James Wallace Jan Ruffle Jane Carpenter Jason Lovett Jayne Davey Jen Faunt Jim Everitt Jo & Abigail Curphey John & Chloe Davey

Karrone Green Kelly Martin Ken Maggs (Moore Thompson Chartered Accountants) Laura Bellamy Lauren Mitchell Lauren Shiels Linda Wilson Lisa Sachse Marks & Spencer Michelle Stapleton Natalie Guarnori Nathan Miller Nicola Reynolds Nicole Davis Nikki Miller Odiz Store Pengelly & Mizen Vets Peterborough Lions Leisure CIC Princebuild Rob Brown Ruth Scotten Sally-Anne & Wayne Miller-Molson Sam Brown Sarah Ebbs Sophie Portlock Steve & Hazel Milford Steve Temple

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk

Join in with the fun at New Ark!

Parent and toddler group

Preschool playgroup with Eco sessions (Forest School) School holiday & after school play sessions All day childcare in holidays

Play Support Service Student placements in childcare and animal care Volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups Children’s parties Group and family visits Adult social mornings

Contact us to find out more Newark Play Association Ltd, Hill Close (off Reeves Way), Peterborough PE1 5LZ

Visit our website: www.newarkplay.co.uk Follow us on Facebook: New Ark Adventure Playground Email: [e-mail] Call: 01733 340605

Registered charity no 1026751

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: www.newarkplay.co.uk