If you are a regular reader of Bishopston Mum you will know that over the last couple of years there have been regular free Stay and Play sessions after school on Horfield Common.

The sessions are organised by The APE Project, an organisation which provides open access, adventurous play opportunities and activities for children and families.

Currently the Stay and Play sessions have been held on Thursdays after school in term-time and are ideal for children of primary school age, although children of all age are welcome.

The free adventure play sessions include a mobile adventure playground and are a great opportunity for local children to get outdoors, have some fun and make new friends.

The sessions are child-led and include lots of fun physical play, crafts, tool work and working together to problem solve. The four elements of earth, water, wind and fire are used to help foster an appreciation of the natural world.

Sessions are also aimed at enabling local parents to get to know one another and strengthen the community.

Karen Patchell, a local parent explained to me how much the sessions have benefitted her children:

“Our children love these play sessions. Sessions are geared to the child and evolve with the group and engender a real sense of achievement and togetherness. My 8-year-old daughter loves the fact that the team are ‘not bossy’ but give the children just the right amount of knowledge and confidence to develop the skills to undertake new tasks and activities in a free-spirited way.”

Unfortunately, due to recent funding issues these regular Stay and Play sessions are under threat and may not continue to be held in future.

In response, The APE Project has set up a kickstarter campaign to raise the £3300 needed to enable these sessions to continue on Horfield Common.

However, only £555 has so far been raised to meet the deadline of 1st May of achieving this target.

If you are can donate any amount to this campaign it will increase the chances of the sessions continuing to be run on Horfield Common.

To donate and for more information please CLICK HERE. You can also find out more about the adventure sessions in the video below…