Playing safe at new centre

Vulnerable children and those with special needs now have a safe play haven at a new Manchester Jewish children's centre.

The Federation of Jewish Services has converted an old storeroom at its new Heathlands base into a large open-plan play centre with landscaped gardens, assisted by a £70,000 Jewish Child's Day grant. The funding will help keep the facility running for three years and it is expected to cater for 100 children a week. And part of the £10,000 capital costs were covered by a bequest by London couple Betty and Daniel Allen, who did not have children together.

Completed in December, it this week ran a play scheme for large numbers of children. It is hoped its existence will provide respite for parents of children with disabilities. It will also be open to children who have suffered abuse, or from broken homes, who need a break.

FJS said much of the funding has been spent on specialised toys and music equipment to stimulate children with special needs. Manchester's largest welfare charity sought advice from a child psychologist and occupational therapist in planning the centre. Centre manager Carol Moffatt said: "We can take children for two to 10 hours a week. It gives parents the chance to do other things or care for their other children. If they have a demanding special needs child, just a trip to the shoe shop can be a major chore."