YOUNG adventurers explored new heights during the Easter holidays thanks to Meriden Adventure Park and three Solihull police officers.
The 30 children aged between 11 and 17 from Meriden Adventure Playground and live in Solihull had a go at canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing as well as doing other team building activities over three days at Beaumanor Hall in Loughborough.
Along with staff from the park, PCs Nick Birch, Matt Revans and PCSO Lewis Luckman each gave up their time for a day to ensure as many local kids as possible were given the opportunity to go to and enjoy the activities on offer.
PC Nick Birch who regularly works with schools across Solihull as part of his role as a school intervention and prevention officer, has a vital role in offering help and support to young people as well as steering them away from crime.
He said: “We have built up a great relationship with the staff at Meriden Adventure Playground and was happy to help out so that as many young people as possible benefited.
“Meriden Adventure Playground is a great place for young people. It not only has an amazing space for kids to enjoy, but so much more including help and support from youth workers for anyone that needs it.
“A big thank you to Beaumanor Hall who funded the three days.”
Meriden Adventure Playground offers children a place to go and enjoy themselves without being costly to families as well as a being a space for children to go and have fun after school and during half term.
The team are made up of qualified youth workers, play workers and therapists who are on hand to offer help and support to families and young people.
Zoe Hill, from Meriden Adventure Playground, said: “We are passionate about putting children, young people and play at the centre of everything we do, our team is also actively involved in the local community and with parents/carers and families accessing MAPA.
“As a charity we rely on funding, donations and fundraising as well as partnership work and support wherever we can get it. The recent trips to Beaumanor were an excellent example of this and we worked with Beaumanor to fund the trips .
“One parent messaged after the trip to say: ‘A big thank you for giving my child the opportunity today. He’s had a fantastic time. As a lone parent this isn’t the kind of thing we can usually access so it really is appreciated’.”
