Client: East Moor Secure Children’s Centre, Leeds, which provides secure accommodation for 27 young males aged between 10 and 18.

Installation: Feb 2009

March 2011

Case Study: Providing a year-round play surface – and an impressive service

In 2009, the East Moor Secure Children’s Centre needed to have the whole of its yard area resurfaced – and they had something particular in mind to replace it with. Anne Glowicka (Green), Deputy Manager at the centre said: “What we really wanted was a year-round surface that the young people could safely play on.“

The Centre started looking for companies who could achieve this for them. One of these was Red Monkey Play. Looking at best value-for-money was very important for the centre. Red Monkey provided that and more besides. Anne commented: “I have to say that…Richard… was just so enthusiastic and provided a good competitive quote.”

Anne also commented that Richard was very open and helpful. Richard arranged a visit for Anne and a colleague to see an installation by Red Monkey Play in Buckinghamshire. “We were really impressed with what we saw,” she said.

East Moor Managers were also very impressed with the installation at the Centre. Red Monkey Play resurfaced the yard area with over 2000m² of Red Monkey Bounded Mulch and Wetpour paths around the court yard, including the grassed areas. They provided two giant chess/draughts boards and a tennis court.  “We were really pleased with the way in which Red Monkey came and completed the job for us,” said Anne.

Due to the needs of the Centre there were times when work had to be halted. Anne said the Red Monkey team were perfectly happy to accommodate these needs. “They did really whatever we asked. They worked really well; really hard.” Anne recalled that the job was completed in a matter of days too, so there was very little disruption at the centre.

The surfacing Red Monkey provided has made a real difference at the Centre. Apart from the very bad weather when it wouldn’t be suitable to go out anyway, it has meant that the young people can play out practically for twelve months of the year.

Anne believes that the young people are “extremely impressed” with the surfacing. What’s more, they benefit from a safety aspect as the surface is a lot softer. The noise level appears lower too.

The Centre would be very happy to use Red Monkey Play again. “If we were considering doing something like that again, we wouldn’t be hesitating in picking up the phone and ringing Richard,” said Anne.